The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Government to invite Siddaganga seer to open Dasara celebrations

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Friday, Aug 01, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Government to invite Siddaganga seer to open Dasara celebrations

Special Correspondent

The festival will be held from September 30 to October 9

— Photo: K. Gopinathan

Grand plans: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Shobha Karandlaje at a meeting on Dasara festival, in Bangalore on Thursday. Others seen are (from left) Mysore Mayor Ayub Khan, Mysore MP C.H. Vijayashankar and Ramdas, political secretary to the Chief Minister.

BANGALORE: The State Government has proposed to invite the head of Siddaganga Math, Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, to inaugurate the Mysore Dasara festival, which will be held from September 30 to October 9.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa proposed the name of the swamiji at a meeting chaired by him here on Thursday.

The seer, who was honoured with the Karnataka Ratna Award, is revered in the State for helping thousands of poor students pursue education.

Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Math inaugurated the festival last year.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Yeddyurappa said the Government would provide all help to the Mysore district administration to conduct the festival in a grand manner.

A sum of Rs. 10 crore had been earmarked in the budget for the festival. More funds would be released, if required, he said. The Mysore Dasara is being conducted on a public-private partnership since 2003.

A sum of Rs. 3.08 crore was spent on the festival in 2007, and Rs. 7.5 crore would be required for beautification of Mysore city this year, according to an official.

Officials had been instructed to develop all roads leading to Chamundi Hills and Krishnaraja Sagar dam, which would be visited by tourists in large numbers during the festival.

The district administration should involve all departments for the successful conduct of the festival, the Chief Minister said.

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Shobha Karandlaje said advisory committees, comprising experts in various fields, would be formed this year. An exhibition would be organised to display the products of farmers, she said.

Mysore MP C.H. Vijayashankar, MLAs from Mysore district, and top officials of the district administration attended the meeting.

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