Event to conclude this evening

Mysuru: Kites of over 250 shapes dotted the skies in city yesterday as the two-day Dasara Kite Festival, organised by the Department of Tourism in association with Dasara Tourism Sub-Committee, got off to a colourful start at Lalitha Mahal Helipad Grounds here.

Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath inaugurated the Festival even as hundreds of kite enthusiasts, including women and children flocked the Helipad Grounds to witness the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Pushpalatha Jagannath said that the Dasara Kite Festival is organised this year too in keeping with the tradition that is being followed from the past several years.

Pointing out that last year, the Kite Festival was a Pre-Dasara event and this year, the Festival is organised post Dasara so that tourists can spend some time watching the colourful skies, the Mayor said that the Kite Festival will be a treat to watch for kids, men and women alike.

Kites of various shapes and colours that included an 80ft long ring kite, Ganesha kite, Mahatma Gandhi kite, Charlie Chaplin kite, kite carrying a message on Clean India campaign, Yakshagana artiste, tiger, tortoise, fish etc.

Over 35 professional kite-flying teams from different cities like Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Telangana, Belagavi and other places had come with their best kite designs.

Deputy Director of Tourism H.P. Janardhan and other officials were present.