Mysuru: A grand procession comprising people dressed as warriors and sages in tongas, folk troupes with women carrying kalashas in the lead, accompanied the decorated chariot with the portrait of Sage Valmiki to mark Valmiki Jayanti in city this morning.

The procession was flagged off by Mayor M.J. Ravikumar after offering puja to Nandi Dhwaja and paying floral tributes to the portrait of Sage Valmiki in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple.

Police Band led by Band Master Alfred Surendra Kumar gave a general salute through their musical performance.

People dressed as Valmiki, Madakari Nayaka, Ekalavya, Sindoora Lakshman, Gandugali Kumararama, Hakka Bukka, Bedara Kannappa, Hecchama Nayaka, Kargalli Palegar Maranayaka and other warriors seated in separate tongas attracted passersby.

The procession, which commenced from Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, passed through K.R. Circle which resulted in traffic jam for about an hour, D. Devaraj Urs Road, JLB Road, Metropole Circle, Hunsur Road to reach Kalamandira, where a stage programme, jointly organised by District Administration, ZP, Backward Classes Welfare Department, MCC, MUDA and various organisations, was held.

More than 2000 people took part in the procession, which was joined by vehicles with people carrying the portrait of Sage Valmiki from across the taluk.

Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, MLAs M.K. Somashekar and G.T. Devegowda, Deputy Mayor Rathna Lakshman, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Chairperson Mallige Veeresh, Food and Civil Supplies Deputy Director Dr. K. Rameshwarappa, Mysuru Taluk Nayaka Sangha Hon. President Shambu Nayaka, Karnataka State Nayaka Hitharakshana Vedike President Dyavappa Nayaka and others took part in the procession.

Maharani’s Women’s Arts College: Valmiki Jayanti was also celebrated at Maharani’s Women Arts College this morning. The celebration was inaugurated by Sri Basavalinga Murthy of Basava Bhavaikya Kendra, Rammanahalli, Mysuru. Prof. D. Purushotham of Government First Grade College, Siddarthanagar, spoke on the occasion.Principal Dr. A. Nagaraju presided. Prof. K. Siddaraju, Prof. B.N. Santosh Kumar and others were present.

Maharani’s Women’s Science College: The event at the college was inaugurated by Prof. Krishnamurthy, Assistant Professor, Kannada Division, Maharani’s Women’s Commerce and Management College, Mysuru.

Principal Dr. M. Channabasavegowda presided. Dr. N. Nagalakshmi, Asst. Professor, Sanskrit Division and Prof. Krishnamurthy delivered lectures.