Mysore/Mysuru: The Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, in association with the Department of Tourism, organised a heritage Dasara cycle ride this morning to raise public awareness about Mysuru’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.

The ride was flagged off from the historic Town Hall, with participants cycling through a specially curated route that highlighted some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

The cyclists passed through Doddagadiyara (Silver Jubilee Clock Tower), Chamaraja Wadiyar Circle (opposite Sri Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple), K.R. Circle, D. Devaraj Urs Road and the Commercial Tax Department near the Lokayukta Office.

From there, the cyclists rode past the Old Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Metropole Circle, JLB Road, Railway Station Circle, Irwin Road, Ayurveda Hospital Circle (Sir M. Visvesvaraya Circle), Sayyaji Rao Road and Cauvery Emporium, before returning to the Town Hall, where the event concluded.

Before the ride, a brief stage programme was held at the Town Hall, where noted cyclist Naveen Solanki flagged off the jatha. Renowned historians Prof. N.S. Rangaraju and Dr. Shalvapille Iyengar engaged the audience with fascinating insights into Mysuru’s traditional architecture and the historical significance of its heritage structures.

Speaking on the occasion, A. Devaraju, Commissioner of the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, said that Mysuru is home to 129 heritage structures and the cycling route was carefully designed to showcase 11 prominent buildings.

He stressed that the initiative aimed to preserve and promote Mysuru’s unique identity as a heritage city. Assistant Director C.N. Manjula and other senior officials were present, lending support to the initiative that blended fitness, history and civic pride.