Mysuru Dasara to go virtual this year

The 2020 Dasara festivities are all set to begin from October 17, but this time around it will be celebrated without any frills amid Coronavirus pandemic. In fact, based on the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Committee recommendation it will be a safe Virtual Dasara celebration.
Though, live streaming of Dasara events was done for earlier editions of Dasara, the district administration is chalking out plans to reach out to maximum number of viewers this time around.The Jamboo Savari procession has been restricted to the Palace premises, with only 300 people allowed in attendance, and that too only after undergoing Coronavirus test and following all norms like thermal screening, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing of about two metres, while remaining seated.
The committee has advised to limit the inaugural event, which will take place atop the Chamundi Hills on October 17 to 200 people. The festivities will be opened up by well-known cardiologist, Director of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research and nodal officer for COVID-19 testing in Karnataka, Dr C N Manjunath by offering puja to goddess Chamundeshwari.
About inaugurating the festival, he says, “I consider this as the greatest respect for the medical fraternity, frontline Covid warriors, which includes police, Asha workers, pourkarmikas and paramedical staff who are all involved in fighting COVID-19 relentenlessly from the last six months. More importantly, I request people to follow all the guidelines issued by the government as well as by the Dasara committee to contain the Coronavirus pandemic during the cultural congregation.”