Mysuru: The ‘Nadaprabhu’ Kempegowda Jayanthi, which was celebrated for the first time this year by State Government was held with great fanfare in city this morning. District Administration had made arrangements for the grand celebrations.

A procession of Kempegowda’s statues was flagged off by Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Mysuru Branch, Seer Sri Somanatha Swamiji in front of Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple. The procession passed through K.R. Circle, D.D. Urs Road, JLB Road, Hunsur Road before reaching Kalamandira. Kempegowda’s statue was taken on a vehicle resembling a chariot ridden by seven horses.

The procession also witnessed a number of folk troupes performing till it culminated at Kalamandira. MLAs G.T. Devegowda and M.K. Somashekar were seen dancing to the drum beats.

On reaching Kalamandira, the stage programme was inaugurated by Somanatha Swamiji and seers Shivanandapuri Swamiji of Kaginele Mutt and Shivananda Swamiji by offering floral tributes to the portrait of Kempegowda and lighting the traditional lamp. Later, former Prasaranga Director Prof. C. Naganna delivered a special lecture on Kempegowda.

MLA Vasu, Mayor M.J. Ravikumar, Deputy Mayor Ratna Lakshman, Zoo Authority of Karnataka Chairperson Mallige Veeresh, MyLac Chairman H.A. Venkatesh, Karnataka State Women’s Commission former Chairperson Manjula Manasa, Sanskrit University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Padma Shekar, DC. D. Randeep and others were present.