Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddharamaiah will inaugurate the 11-day Dasara Flower Show on Sept. 21 in the presence of District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, said Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer P. Shivashankar.

Addressing a press conference at Kuppanna Park, also known as Nishad Bhag, in Nazarbad, here yesterday, he said that the flower show jointly organised by Horticulture Department, District Horticulture Association and Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), will be held in a grand manner from Sept. 21 to Oct.1.

The flower show is based on the theme ‘Constitution, Equality and Brotherhood.’ The main attraction this year will be the flower-bedecked model of Chennakeshava Temple in Somanathapura. The other attractions include the heritage city’s Doddagadiyara (Big Clock Tower), Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Barbie Doll, 12-foot tall peacock, Buddha and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statues, which will all bloom with flowers.

The work on the laser show and musical fountain is also going on.

Nearly 3.5 lakh visitors are likely to visit the flower show during the 11 days it has been organised. Last year around three lakh had visited it, said Shivashankar.

Rs. 5 hike: The entry fee to the show is fixed at Rs. 25 this time, a hike of Rs. 5 from last time when it was pegged at Rs. 20. However, for children it remains the same at Rs. 10.

Kuppanna Park will come alive with nearly 2,15,000 variety of flowers. The replica of Chennakeshava Temple will be decorated with three lakh rose flowers. It will be 18 ft high, 37 ft wide and 16 ft long. Orchids, Bonsai, Cactus, Anthurium, vegetables engraving, dry flowers decoration, honey selling centre, terracotta and other handicraft items will also be the attractions.

Contest: Like every year, this year too, the Dasara Flower Show contest has been organised for private home gardens, industries and educational institutions. Triton Valves, BEML, NIE and others will participate in the flower show.

As a security measure, CCTV cameras will be installed in ten places. Nearly 55 gardeners from the Horticulture Department are working day and night since the past four months to get the  show going.

On the occasion, Shivashankar launched the website, here yesterday. District Horticulture Association Vice-President Dr. D. Prabhamandal, Joint Secretary H. Hanumaiah, Treasurer M. Vijayakumari, Horticulture Department Joint Director D. Manjunath, Association Council Members Shashikala Nagaraj, P. Dasappa, R.N. Rajeshwari, B.K. Kempegowda, C. Saldhana and others were present.

Kukkarahalli Lake: The Horticulture Department of University of Mysore has organised the 14th Dasara Flower Show at Kukkarahalli Lake from Sept. 21 to Oct.2. Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dayananda Mane will inaugurate the Show at 5 pm on Sept. 21. The entry to the show is free and it is open from 9 am to 7 pm every day, said a release from the University of Mysore.