Nada Habba Mysuru Dasara was inaugurated by the Hon’ble President of India Smt. Draupadi Murmu by showering flower petals on Goddess Chamundeshwari. She created history by becoming the first President to inaugurate the grand 10-day festivities.
The President visited the Chamundeshwari Temple and offered her prayers before inaugurating Dasara. A silver idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari seated in a mantap was presented to her as a memento.
Along with the President were Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, Kannada and Culture Minister V. Sunil Kumar and District Minister S.T. Somashekar.
World Tourism Day
Resplendent World Tourism Day Celebrations – 27th of September
Grand and glorious celebrations marked World Tourism Day 2022. The event was organized by Mysuru Travels Association in association with Karnataka Tourism Department, Hotel Owners’ Association, Drivers’ Association, Tourist Guides’ Association & SKAL International Mysore.
The event was flagged off by District In-Charge Minister S.T. Somashekar who was accompanied by MLAs L.Nagendra, S.A.Ramdaas and G.T.Devegowda. Cultural troupes gave life to the event by their splendid performances. Dressed in their traditional attires, Tibetan Band, Dollu Kunitha, Huli Vesha, Kamsale, Naadaswara, Mangaluru Gombe (Bhoota Kola) and Kodavas added colour to the procession with their masterly & captivating performances.
The cultural troupes were followed by a few horses from KARP (Mounted Police) and Dasara Elephants. Public lined up on both sides of the road to enjoy an enthralling view of the procession which clearly looked like Mini Dasara.
Dy. Director of Palace board Subrahmanya, World Tourism Day Committee Chairman B.S. Prashanth, office bearers of the associations C. Narayana Gowda, C.A. Jayakumar, S. Nagaraj, A.C. Ravi, S.J. Ashok and others were present.
Mysuru Silk Saree Graces The Occasion:
President Droupadi Murmu wore a white Mysore Silk saree with gold zari for the Dasara inauguration. The saree was specially weaved for her at the Silk Weaving Factory of Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC).
Tribal Dancers Meet The President:
After the Dasara inauguration, a group of tribal dancers from Hunsur, Periyapatna and H.D. Kote presented traditional dances to President Droupadi Murmu. Later, a group of 14 tribal representatives met the President and interacted with her.
Ambari Ride
You can enjoy an enthralling view of Mysuru during mornings and a vibrant view of illuminated Mysuru during evenings from the open rooftop bus, Ambari. Bookings for the package tours, to be conducted in air-conditioned buses are open. There are several packages which cover tourist spots in Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya and Kodagu districts.
Gombe Habba: An age old tale of ornate dolls
Dasara is popularly known as Gombe Habba (Festival of Dolls). Hundreds of meticulously designed dolls that depict our history, mythology, heritage, culture, environment and other prominent elements of our tradition and heritage will be displayed at homes during this 10 day long festival.
According to history, the culture of showcasing dolls began during the period of Vijayanagara Empire and came to Mysore after Raja Wodeyar ascended the throne in 1610. Wodeyars used to display and worship various dolls made of sandalwood. They are preserved in the palace even now and some of them are displayed. The main dolls of the festival are always a couple, Raja and Rani (Pattada Gombe). These beautiful dolls are made of quality wood. Artisans give life to these dolls by decorating them with utmost care.
The tradition of displaying dolls and performing pooja to Pattada Gombe is still practised in households in and around Mysore. Some families display only Pattada Gombe and some others take time to assemble various dolls according to different themes. Some usual themes are Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Bhagavata, Navadurga, Dashavatara, Saptarshi, history of Wodeyars, replica of tourist places, etc.
A fascinating sight for the young and the old alike, it is indeed a visual treat to watch colourful dolls arrangement. Many households arrange a mini exhibition at their houses. Many groups come together to arrange doll shows. In Mysore, doll shows are usually arranged at places like Rangayana, Jaganmohana Palace, Mysore Palace Premises etc.
Ramsons Bombe Mane: The Doll House
Ramsons Bombe Mane is the most popular doll house in Mysore and is located above Aamrapali Sarees in Nazarbad. This expo cum sale is open to the public throughout the year. People can enjoy a fascinating sight of exquisite dolls from across India under a single roof. Enchanting dolls of clay, wood, paper mesh, cloth, ceramic and terracotta which have been lovingly crafted from about 30 craft clusters of India are available. Ramsons Bombe Mane is nothing less than a world of exquisite dolls, statues and miniatures.
This year marks the 18th edition of Ramsons Doll Show. This expo has over 5,000 magnificent doll collections from around 12 states of India. It has various themes such as Vithalla Varakari Tradition, 75th Anniversary Celebrations of Indian Independence, Birth Centenary Celebrations of Sri Jayachamaraja Wodeyar. Ramsons Bombe Mane is open on all the days of the week from 10 AM to 7 PM. There is no entry fee.
Doll Exhibition at Mysore Palace
An elegant doll exhibition has been arranged in the Mysore Palace premises. This exhibition displays a variety of doll collections which depicts the culture and heritage of Dasara festival, Wodeyar family, history of erstwhile Mysore Kingdom etc. Some members of the public have displayed their collection of dolls as well.
Mysore’s First Botanical Garden at Lingambudhi Lake
Mysureans don’t have to plan and visit Ooty to enjoy a colourful view of the Botanical Garden. Mysuru now has its own, first Botanical Garden at Lingambudi Lake! The scenic Lingambudhi Lake is located at Srirampura II Stage, Ramakrishnanagar. According to history, this Lake was built by Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar in 1828 in memory of Maharani Krishna Vilasa Lingajammanni. It is spread over a sprawling 250-acre area. While 150-acres is covered by water, the remaining 100-acre has been declared as a Reserve Forest area.
With a view of giving a new look to this water body, the Horticulture Department has developed a beautiful Botanical Garden on 20-acre land of the total 30-acre handed over by the Forest Department. The Lake attracts winged visitors every year akin to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Srirangapatna, Mandya district. This Garden has over 450 varieties of plants and endangered natural species, medicinal plants which will certainly attract Botanists, Zoology students and others who have keen interest in natural resources.
The Botanical Garden has been divided into several blocks with each dedicated to a variety of flowers and plants. There is a walking path, jogging area, resting place and stone mantapa to give it a natural look. A large number of cherry fruit trees are planted to attract butterflies to the butterfly park. Like Karanji Lake in the city, this park will be developed as the butterfly breeding centre.
The entry fee to the Botanical Garden is likely to be Rs.10 or Rs.20 per head, and it will be open to the public between 8.30 am and 5 pm. The entire Park has been declared a ‘no-plastic’ zone.
Mysuru: The City of Lakes
The Wodeyars developed Mysuru in such a way that it stays self-reliant not only for the coming decades but also for the coming centuries. Be it natural resources, healthcare, basic amenities, Wodeyars took utmost care of everything to make their citizens live in ease. Though Mysuru comes under Kaveri Basin and hence there is no question of scarcity of water, Wodeyars still ensured that water is channelized properly. They built many lakes for that very purpose. Some of them are,
- Dodda Kere
- Lingambudi Lake
- Kukkarahalli Lake
- Karanji Lake
- Dalvoy Lake
- Hebbal Lake
- Bogadi Lake
- Varuna Lake
- Hinkal Lake
Some of these lakes are conserved till date while a few of them do not exist anymore.
World Clean Up Day by Let’s Do it! Mysore
‘Let’s Do It! Mysuru’ celebrated World Clean Up Day – 2022 by cleaning T.Narasipura road, (Behind Lalitha Mahal Palace) Mysore. Cleaning programme was organised in association with various organisations like Mysuru Travels Association, SKAL International, Mysuru Pharma Forum, Mysuru City Corporation, Mobile Palace, Gym Association, Dominos, Decathlon and other volunteers.
District in charge minister Sri S.T. Somashekar, MLA S.A.Ramdaas, Mayor Shivakumar, Dy. Mayor Dr. G. Roopa inaugurated the event. More than 200 volunteers took part in a cleaning drive at 8 different points. Essential equipment, masks, gloves, garbage bags were provided by various sponsors. After cleaning, trash was transported to the sewage farm in tractors and autos.
The initiative was appreciated by the locals.
Did You Know?
KARP Mounted Police Headquarters that is situated in Nazarbad was built during 1920 by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar at a cost of Rs.80,000. This vintage building is excellently maintained and is still intact. Three doors of this building and a cistern are built in the shape of a horseshoe. This is a place where horses are trained for various purposes.