Dasara

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) fell short of its property tax collection target for the 2023-24 fiscal year, gathering only ₹3,900.92 crore out of the aimed ₹4,561 crore. Despite efforts like issuing notices and appointing a Special Commissioner, the deficit of ₹660 crore indicates a significant gap. Mahadevapur led in collections with ₹1,042 crore, while Dasarahalli had the lowest at ₹127 crore.

Captain Arjuna's tragic death during a forest capture sparks mourning and doubt. Plans for state honours and a funeral emerge amid uncertainty about the events leading to his demise. Speculation and allegations swirl, prompting demands for a thorough investigation into the operation and accountability from the forest department.

An accident during the transportation of a Dasara festival elephant near Bengaluru resulted in the tragic death of the lorry driver, Arogya Swamy. The accident occurred as the driver parked the lorry for a restroom break, and it rolled forward, fatally injuring him. The "queen elephant" was unharmed. Authorities used cranes to rescue the elephant and manage traffic disruptions.

The Mysuru Dasara festival's highlight, Jamboo Savari, was inaugurated by Yaduveera Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar commenced the celebrations. The event, featuring the resplendent golden chariot of goddess Chamundeshwari, draws domestic and international tourists to Mysuru. The day included special pujas, including the offering of flowers to the gold idol of Chamundeshwari.

To assist post-Dasara holiday travelers from North Karnataka, South Western Railway introduced a special train service between Hubli and Bengaluru on October 24 and 25. The train, Train No. 07309 SSS Hubballi - Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru Special Express, will serve several stations along its route, offering convenience to passengers on their way home.
 

Vijay Deverakonda hosts a special Dussehra puja at home. He shares photos from the puja. But, in these photos, his rumoured girlfriend and actress, Rashmika Mandanna, was MIA in the VIRAL photos. Many fans also claimed that Rashmika might have attended the Puja secretly.

On Dussehra and Vijayadasami, people in the north and west of India hand out Apta, or Apati, tree leaves. Apta tree leaves serve as a metaphor for sona or gold in this custom.

Shimoga MP BY Raghavendra pledges a metro rail between Shimoga and Bhadravati if re-elected during Nadahabba Dasara celebrations. He commends the festivities' organization and speaks about spiritual influences and the Bhagyalakshmi Yojana scheme, along with future flight connections. Some attendees responded with amusement when he mentioned Shimoga to Goa flights.

Captain Abhimanyu, a distinguished elephant, is set to make history by carrying the Ambari for the fourth time in the famous Dasara Jamboo Savari. Despite the pandemic-related restrictions in 2020 and 2021, Abhimanyu successfully completed the procession last year. Abhimanyu has been a key figure in the Dasara festivities for nearly 24 years and will now carry the Ambari in the 2023 Mysuru Dasara procession.
 

Vidyarambham is a symbolic and auspicious tradition observed on Vijayadashmi, that marks the beginning of a child's formal education journey. It is a way to instill the value of education and the blessings of wisdom from a young age.

The Jamboo Savari, concluding the Mysuru Dasara festival, begins on October 24. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the event with a puja at 1:46 PM. The procession includes various cultural performances and rituals, with Gajaraja Abhimanyu offering flowers to Chamundeshwari's idol. The grand parade follows a 5-kilometer route, concluding at Bannimantapa, with a flag parade at 7:30 PM, presided over by Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot. This festival is a major attraction for tourists and locals alike.

During a Mysuru Dussehra festival rehearsal, an explosion occurred during the Jamboosavari training, injuring several staff. Today's events at Ambavilasa Palace included the conclusion of the Royal Sword Puja, a royal procession, Ayudha Puja, and Puja Kainkarya. The day began with Chandihoma and the arrival of uncrowned animals, including a Khasa weapons visit to the Someshwara temple. The day will end with another Royal Sword Puja.

Silicon City, Bengaluru, faces power outages over the Dasara weekend due to reduced power generation and essential maintenance work by BESCOM and KPTCL. Residents can anticipate power interruptions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, affecting various areas in the city, extending the week-long power woes experienced by residents.

Karnataka's Navratri celebrations are a fascinating blend of spirituality and culture, where devotion mingles with colorful festivities. The temples in this enchanting state offer not only divine solace but also a unique cultural experience during the festival.

South Western Railway (SWR) introduces Dussehra Special Train Services (07303/07304) between Hubballi and Mangaluru Junction, offering 19 coaches for increased festive season passenger demand. The service runs from October 20 to 24, with stops through Bengaluru. For specific details, including fares and timings, visit the Indian Railways website. The initiative aims to provide convenient travel options during Dussehra.