Dasara is here

Gavimutt Seer to open festivities atop Chamundi Hill tomorrow

Mysuru: Mysuru is ready for the inauguration of the 416th Nada Habba Mysuru Dasara atop Chamundi Hill tomorrow (Oct. 11), with final preparations being completed this morning.

Abhinava Sri Gavisiddeshwara Mahaswamiji of Gavimutt, Koppal, will inaugurate this year’s festivities.

The Seer is expected to arrive in Mysuru this evening and reach Suttur Mutt at the foot of Chamundi Hill, where he will stay overnight.

Tomorrow (Oct. 11), the Gavimutt Seer will first offer ‘Agra Puja’ to Goddess Chamundeshwari at the Hill Temple. Later, at the main stage, he will shower flowers on the idol of the Goddess, placed in a silver chariot and adorned with ‘Brahmi Alankara.’ The ceremony will take place during the auspicious Dhanur Lagna between 11.50 am and 12.13 pm.

The Seer will also light the ceremonial lamp to mark the formal inauguration of Dasara. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Dy.CM Dr. G. Parameshwara and Mysuru District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah will attend, along with other Ministers and elected representatives. Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda will preside over the event.

45 guests, 300 Swamijis on stage

Chamundi Hill has been decorated with traditional chappara and thaliru-thorana. A large waterproof German tent has been erected for the event, with a 100 ft. by 30 ft. stage. Seating on the dais has been arranged for 45 dignitaries.

The silver chariot and the festival idol have undergone purification and cleaning rituals ahead of Navaratri. LED screens are also being installed to help visitors follow the proceedings.

A special raised seating area with carpets and pillows has been arranged near the dais for around 300 visiting Swamijis. The venue has a total seating capacity of about 1,000, including around 600 seats reserved for VIPs, officials, media personnel and special invitees.

Security arrangements have been tightened ahead of the Chief Minister’s visit. Public entry to Chamundi Hill will be restricted in the morning until the inauguration concludes.

Police personnel have been deployed within a 200-metre radius of the venue and briefings have been completed for those assigned to security and gate management.

Rituals at Hill Temple

Rituals marking the beginning of Navaratri and the inauguration of Dasara will begin at 4.30 am tomorrow at Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill.

Chief Priest Shashishekar Dixit said, the ceremonies would begin in the early hours during the auspicious Brahmi Muhurta with Mahanyasa Poorvaka Rudrabhishekha, followed by Panchamrita Abhisheka.

The Utsava Murthi of Goddess Chamundeshwari will be adorned in different forms during the festival, representing the nine forms of Navadurga — Sri Shailaputri, Sri Brahmacharini, Sri Chandraghanta, Sri Kooshmanda, Sri Skandamata, Sri Katyayani, Sri Kalaratri, Sri Mahagauri and Sri Siddhidatri, he said.

The traditional alankaras also include Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Saraswathi.

A daily evening Durbar Utsava, reflecting the royal traditions of the Mysore Palace, is also part of the celebrations.

Special decorations will mark the worship of Kalaratri on the seventh day of the festival, observed as Saptamam Kalaratri, he added.