Madikeri: The city of Madikeri once again came alive with the splendour of Dasara, a festival steeped in history and tradition. The festivities commenced with the Karagotsava, featuring traditional dance and a procession that began at Pampinakere, marking the official start of the Madikeri Dasara festival on Monday.This event, which dates back hundreds of years, involves the worship of the city’s four Shakti deities: Kundurumotte Chauti Mariyamma, Kanchi Kamakshi, Dandina Mariyamma, and Kote Mariyamma. These deities have become central to the celebrations, with each temple’s Karaga carried by designated individuals—PP Chami, GA Umesh, PC Umesh, and Anish.Kodagu district in-charge minister NS Boseraju, Madikeri MLA Manthar Gowda, Dasara committee president Kalavathi, and others were present.The festival, which runs from Sept 23 to October 2, promises a rich tapestry of cultural programmes to be held at the Gandhi Maidan. This year, the festival spans 11 days, with 10 days dedicated to diverse cultural events. Highlights include Children’s Dasara, Women’s Dasara, Youth Dasara, Folk Dasara, Coffee Dasara, and a poetry gathering featuring 77 poets.A unique addition this year is a dog show competition during Youth Dasara. The poetry festival will culminate in a collection of poems published by the poetry festival committee. Sports enthusiasts can look forward to a variety of events, including a marathon, basketball, kabaddi, volleyball, athletics, snooker, and recreational sports.The city is adorned with electric lighting from Sudarshan Circle to the Chowk, with additional lighting in temples and crowded areas. The Karagotsava saw lamps lit from Pampina Lake to Sri Rama Mandira, adding to the festive ambience.
