Hundreds of health buffs and fitness freaks took part in ‘Mane Mane’ Yoga, Heritage Cycling and Karate Marathon events which were inaugurated as part of Dasara festivities this morning.

Mane Mane Yoga, organised by Dasara Yoga Sub-Committee was inaugurated at Sougandhika Park at Kuvempunagar.

The programme was inaugurated by District Minister G.T. Devegowda (GTD) in the presence of MLA S.A. Ramdas, Prakash Yogi Guruji, President of Patanjali Yogashrama Trust, Bengaluru, International Yoga exponent Kushi, Additional Deputy Commissioner T. Yogesh, D. Shrihari of GSS Yogic Foundation, ZP Member Chandrika Suresh, Corporator Ramesh, MDJA President C.K. Mahendra and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister G.T. Devegowda said that there were plans to make Yoga compulsory in colleges and added that there is no good health without Yoga and without good health, one cannot have a long life.

Stating that our ancestors were very healthy because they used to indulge in manual work which is now taken over by machines, GTD questioned, What is the use of wealth without good health?

Yoga to be held at 12 different locations: Mane Mane Dasara will be held simultaneously at 12 locations in city from 6 am to 7 am till Oct. 16. The locations are; Javaregowda Park in Saraswathipuram, Puttaraja Gavai Stadium in J.P. Nagar, Chamundi Vihar Stadium in Nazarbad, JSS Public School premises in Siddarthanagar, Vijayanagar Stadium at Vijayanagar, Pushkarni School premises in Vijayanagar 2nd Stage, Mysore One Playing Ground near Doctors Corner in Gokulam, Cheluvamba Park in V.V. Mohalla, Bench Katte Maramma Temple Park at Judicial Layout in Bogadi, Vidya Vinayaka Temple Park at Railway Layout in Vijayanagar, Basavanagudi Park in Hebbal 1st Stage and KSRTC Satellite Bus Stand premises in R.S. Naidu Nagar.

Various asanas, including Sethubandasana, Pavana Mukthasana, Shavasana, Pranayama and other asanas were demonstrated by Prakash Yogi Guruji and international yoga exponent Kushi. Minister GTD and other dignitaries on the stage also performed yoga. Kushi was felicitated on the occasion.

Pedaling to know about Mysuru’s heritage buildings

In a bid to make tourists and visitors know about Mysuru’s heritage buildings and their history, The Department of Heritage had organised a Heritage Cycling programme.

The programme was inaugurated by G.T. Devegowda and Tourism Minister S.R. Mahesh by riding bicycles from Town Hall premises up to Chamaraja Circle, opposite Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple.

Speaking on the occasion, the District Minister said that the heritage buildings were the contributions of Mysuru Kings which are like the crowns of the city.

We are introducing these heritage buildings to tourists and visitors to let them know about the history of these magnificent structures, he added.

While the resource person explained about the heritage buildings through a public address system fitted on a tonga which was in the lead, the cyclists, wearing Mysuru Peta followed the tonga. The cyclists were taken to K.R. Circle, Lansdowne Building, Jaganmohan Palace, Parkala Mutt, Padmalaya, Chamundi Guest House, Prachya Vidya Soudha, Crawford Hall, DC Office, Maharaja’s College, Metropole Circle, City Railway Station and culminated at Mysore Medical College and Research Institute.

ZP CEO K. Jyothi, Additional DC T. Yogesh, MCC Commissioner K.H. Jagadeesha, Heritage Department Deputy Director Nirmala Matapathi and others took part.

Dasara Karate Marathon: As a prelude to the 12th Dasara Karate Tournament, to be held at St. Philomena’s College Indoor Stadium tomorrow, nearly 500 karetekas took part in the Karate Marathon, organised by Mysore Karate Association.

The marathon which began from Ramaswamy Circle, passed through Chamaraja Double Road, Gun House Circle and culminated at Mysore Palace premises, where the karatekas held a demonstration. A specially abled boy performed Katas on the occasion.

The winners of the marathon are Lokesh-First, Keshaliya-Second and Dhamakatti-Third. The winners were presented with cash prizes of Rs. 5,000, Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 1,000 respectively.

Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar, Mysore Karate Association President Sosale Siddaraju, Vice-President Mahadevaswamy, Secretary Chidananda were present.