Mysuru, Sep 29 (UNI) The Dasara festivities began on a traditional note with writer S L Byrappa, offering puja to principal deity of the city Goddess Chamundeswari, atop Chamundi Hills, here on Sunday.
The cool breeze atmosphere atop the Chamundi Hills added more gusto to the Mysureans and tourists alike who thronged in large numbers to witness the inauguration of 409th Mysuru Dasara festivities.
There was no dearth to the enthusiasm of the devotees who made a beeline to Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills on the occasion of the inaugural ceremony of Dasara.
Earlier to the inauguration, the priests at the temple started various rituals from 0400hrs and the ceremonial bath was given to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari which was later decorated with a silk sari and flowers on a silver chariot.
Though there was restriction for the visitors to the temple, a large number of devotees had formed a serpentine queue to have the sight of the presiding deity at the temple.
The Chamundi hills wore a festive look. The authorities have made special lighting arrangements. The path leading to the temple has also been lit up for the benefit of pilgrims, who were expected to converge in large numbers on all these days.
The entire city had been spruced up for the grand ten-day celebrations with a number of main thoroughfares, heritage buildings and government offices illuminated.
Mr Byrappa extended Poornakumba reception with Nandi Dwaja and later he along with Chief Minister B S Yeddiyurappa other dignitaries did the 'Pushparchane' to the idol.
'I first thank the state government and the Chief Minister for inviting me to the historical Mysuru Dasara festivities inaugural function and expressed happiness to taking part in the event.'
He recalled that his students day visit Chamundi hills weekly once, now once in year and he also believe in the god, some of the writer felt that he was opposing the taking part in the religious events.
He strongly opposed the infrastructure creation at Chamundi hills which would destroy the peace and become tourist spot, rather than the religious spot.
For this, many people came out openly not to construct buildings at the hills, but now the government has taken up various development works at the hills. How far was it true and it was also nothing, but extension of Mysuru city, he regretted.
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