Hailing the festive spirit of Dasara in Mysuru, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the celebrations spread over the next 11 days will offer a glimpse of the country’s culture and heritage to people in India and abroad.
Addressing the gathering after the Seer of Gavi Mutt Abhinava Gavi Siddeshwara Swami inaugurated the Mysuru Dasara 2026 atop Chamundi Hills on Sunday, Mr. Shivakumar said the festive spirit of Dasara is no longer confined to Mysuru, but has spread across the State. “Over the next 11 days, people will see India through Mysuru. This festival, which reflects the country’s heritage, is a symbol of pride of our land,” he remarked.
He said Dasara has evolved from a royal celebration into a democratic festival. “What we are witnessing today is Dasara as a people’s durbar. In a democracy, we are moving forward together in unity,” he said.
“While education removes the thorn of ignorance with the thorn of knowledge, Dasara removes the thorn of unrighteousness with the thorn of righteousness. Seeing God in a temple is devotion, while seeing God in a human being is humanity,” he said.
Recalling the more than 400-year-old history of Dasara, Mr. Shivakumar said the Wadiyars of Mysuru did not restrict Dasara to worship and religious rituals alone, but transformed it into a platform for promotion of art and culture.
Kambala
Mr. Shivakumar defended his decision to hold Kambala, the traditional slush track buffalo race, during the Dasara festivities in Mysuru by contending that there was a tradition of bringing buffaloes to Dasara during the Vijayanagara period.
Despite opposition from certain quarters, the Chief Minister said the government will be starting Kambala during Dasara from this year.
While pointing out that art forms such as Dollu Kunitha, Tammate, Nagari, Veeragase, Kolata and Yakshagana had kept Karnataka’s culture alive, Mr. Shivakumar said Dasara provides a major platform for these artists to showcase their talent.
“While some cities grew through wars and conflicts, Mysuru developed through its culture,” he added.
Armed forces participation
Apart from Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, which will stage an air show during Dasara, contingents from the three armed forces – Army, Navy and Air Force – will be participating in the Dasara festival, he said and thanked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for accepting his request for the same.
Respect for religious heads
Pointing out that religious institutions and Mutts carry out social welfare activities that the government is expected to undertake, Mr. Shivakumar said he respected the heads of religious institutions as a great force in society and accorded them a status comparable to that of God.
“I have always respected their aspirations. At times, the media cuts and distorts statements, conveying the wrong message. I regard spiritual leaders as a great force in society. Apart from respecting them, I also consider myself a representative of their values and aspirations,” he said.
