Mysuru: A grand and colourful procession marked Valmiki Jayanti celebrations organised by  the District Administration in the city this morning.

District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah launched the procession in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple at the Palace North Gate.

The procession, in which hundreds of people took part,  passed through Albert Victor Road, K.R. Circle, Devaraj Urs Road, JLB Road, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle (Metropole Circle) and Vinoba Road before culminating at Kalamandira where the stage programme has been organised. The Government has declared an official holiday for the Jayanti.

The procession was accompanied by a host of cultural troupes and  heritage tongas carrying the portrait of ancient sage and poet Valmiki, erstwhile rulers Madakari Nayaka and Keladi Shivappa Nayaka  among others.

The procession also featured Nandi Dhwaja, Police Band, women carrying ‘Kalasha’ on their heads as part of tradition, drum beating etc.

MLAs G.T. Devegowda and T.S. Srivatsa, MLC C.N. Manjegowda, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, DCP Dr. Harsha Priyamvada, SP Mallikarjun Baladandi, ZP CEO S. Ukesh Kumar, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha and a host of other officials were present.

At MCC Office:  Valmiki Jayanti was also celebrated at the MCC Office on Sayyaji Rao Road, with MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha and other officials garlanding  the portrait of Valmiki.

BJP Office: To mark Valmiki Jayanti, the City and District BJP leaders and workers showered flower petals on an idol of Valmiki at the party office  in Chamarajapuram.

MLA T.S. Srivatsa, former Mayors Sandesh Swamy and Shivakumar, City BJP President L. Nagendra, District President Kumbralli Subbanna anda host of other party leaders were present.