Bangalore: Following heightened agitation on the Cauvery issue and acute drought,
Karnataka Cabinet on October 5 decided against celebrating Dasara festivities in the
usual grand style and even cancelled the famous "Viajaydashami procession".
Traditional poojas and rituals would be performed but the procession, torch parade
and illumination of the Mysore palace would be dispensed with, making it a low-key
affair, Information Minister Kagodu Thimappa told reporters.
Following scaling down of the celebrations, government was expected to save about Rs
80 lakh he said adding that the amount would be diverted for drought relief works.
Probably this is the first time that it has been decided to cancel "jamboo savari"
(the customary ceremony of taking out the idol of Goddess Chamundeswari on a golden
howdah in a procession), which marks the culmination of Navaratri festivities.
PTI
