The 401st Mysore Dasara festivities got off to a colourful start here on Wednesday with Vishvesha Tirtha Swami of Pejawar Math giving a call to Kannadigas to fight passivity and lethargy and work towards progress of the State.
He showered flower petals on the ‘utsava murthy' of goddess Chamundeshwari to signal the start of the festival, at the Chamundeshwari temple atop Chamundi Hills in the morning.
Dasara was not just a festival of the State but of the nation, he said, and added that it had inspired the entire nation by spreading the message of peace, brotherhood and camaraderie.
“Kannada Nadu” had spread the message of universal brotherhood in the past through the famous poet Pampa, who propounded the theory that the entire human race was one.
It was reinforced by the 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara. Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya and Madhwacharya preached the same message. Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam had spread the message of peace from the nation's soil, the seer said.
In spite of this, terror attacks and atrocities on Dalits were continuing, he said. People, Kannadigas in particular, should stand up and fight corruption and exploitation of the downtrodden. Thanks to corruption, government programmes were not reaching the deserving, the seer said.
‘Atrocities should end'
Atrocities on Dalits should stop, he said and added that the government should strike a balance when acquiring farmland for setting up industries. Whether majority or minority, all people had equal rights and their strength should be channelised towards the progress of the State and the nation, he said.
Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda called upon the people of the city to light lamps in all households on Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashmi “to spread the message of love and brotherhood”. Mr. Gowda recalled the rich legacy of Mysore Dasara and the contribution of the former rulers of Mysore. Barring a few districts, the State had received good rainfall this season and farmers were a contended lot. It was a sure sign of progress, he said.
Lauded
Mr. Gowda auded the Mysore Dasara Mahotsava Committee for organising a variety of programmes during the festival to give it a comprehensive look. Efforts would be made to celebrate Dasara-like festivities in all districts, he said.
Medical Education Minister and Mysore district in charge S.A. Ramdas listed out the programmes being organised during this Dasara.
Secretary, Kannada and Culture, Basavaraj welcomed the gathering. Mayor Pushpalata Chikkanna, Minister for Kannada and Culture Govind Karjol, Deputy Commissioner P.S. Vastrad, MLAs, MLCs, and chairpersons of various boards and authorities were present.
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