Mysuru Dasara to be low-key due to COVID-19 pandemic: Karnataka CM Yediyurappa

The world famous Mysuru Dasara festival in October would be low-key, with restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa said.

Mysuru Dasara celebration this year will be low-key due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa said.

“The 10-day Dasara festival starting from October 16-26 will be celebrated in a simple way with COVID-19 restrictions like maintaining social distance and preventing large gatherings in public places for containing the spread of coronavirus,” said Yediyurappa.
 

Mysuru Dasara is regarded as the state festival of Karnataka. Mysuru, a popular tourist destination in the country, usually sees many tourists during the Dasara celebration.

Grand processions, dance, music, torch parade, and more are showcased during the nine-day celebration, and on the 10th day (Vijayadashami), nine forms of the goddess are worshipped, which marks the end of the festival.

With no let-up in the number of infections across the southern state even 5 months after its outbreak in mid-March, the state-sponsored Dasara fete will be held on the lines of the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri on June 23 without people and tourists gathering to witness the grand spectacle.

As the city of palaces and cultural capital of Karnataka, Mysuru also attracts thousands of tourists from across the country and overseas during Dasara and Deepavali festivals every year.