New facility most likely to be inaugurated this Dasara; it will be kept open throughout the year

Mysuru: The forthcoming Naada Habba Mysuru Dasara is most likely to greet the visitors with an exclusive Food Court, planned at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 crore, at the premises of Dasara Exhibition Grounds.

Urban Development and Mysuru district in-charge Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah told media persons here this morning, the Food Court will be inaugurated by forthcoming Dasara. It will be having 32 stalls comprising both vegetarian and non-vegetarian eateries. It will be kept open throughout the year, with plans afoot to maintain the facility by Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) itself , in the coming years.

Like an exclusive area earmarked for the stalls selling garments and other articles at Dasara exhibition grounds, Food Court is planned on the similar lines, he added.

Dasara Exhibition-2026 which will be inaugurated on Oct. 11, will be open for 90 days till Jan. 8, 2027, Dr. Yathindra said.

Since the year 2023, there has been a notable increase in footfalls at Dasara exhibition. During the previous year Dasara, 18 lakh footfalls was recorded at the exhibition grounds, he added.

The tender to conduct Dasara exhibition in the year 2025 was awarded for Rs. 11.54 crore (Rs. 11, 54, 015). While Rs. 9.5 crore was spent each on the development works of ‘A’ block and Musical Fountain, Rs. 3.59 crore was spent on building a Dragon Pond.

On Kambala

To a question on the plans to organise Kambala, which has stirred a controversy, as a Dasara attraction from this year, Dr. Yathindra said, everyone present at Dasara High-power Committee meeting held at Vidhana Soudha recently, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, endorsed the proposal.

On the demand to invite Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji for the inauguration of Navaratri festivities atop Chamundi Hill, Dr. Yathindra said, the proposal was discussed at the meeting. Suttur Sri Kshetra in Nanjangud taluk, is located at Varuna Assembly Constituency. It would be a befitting honour, if the Swamiji’s name was finalised to inaugurate Dasara festival. However, the final decision rests with the Chief Minister, he clarified.

Chairman of KEA and former Mayor Ayub Khan, City Congress President R. Murthy, District President Dr. B.J. Vijaykumar and former Chairman of Mysuru Urban Development Authority H.V. Rajeev were present.