Mysuru to clear unauthorised flex posters before Dasara, Shivakumar directs

Chief Minister directs officials to make Mysuru flex-free during Dasara

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and city police will begin clearing unauthorised flex posters and publicity materials from Monday as the city prepares for the Dasara festivities.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has directed officials to ensure that Mysuru remains free of such materials during the celebrations, with an exception for official Dasara publicity.

The instruction was issued during a review of the arrangements for Mysuru Dasara-2026 at the Zilla Panchayat.

Mr. Shivakumar later reiterated that all flex materials other than official Dasara publicity must be removed from the city.

He also made it clear that unauthorised publicity materials carrying his own photographs would not be permitted during the festivities.

Focus on visitor experience

The directive assumes significance as Mysuru prepares to host thousands of visitors during Dasara.

The Chief Minister directed the district administration to ensure that tourists were not harassed or inconvenienced during the festivities.

He also said hotel tariffs and rates at other establishments would be monitored to prevent visitors from being fleeced.

Officials were instructed to make proper arrangements for gold card and ticket holders, including clearly indicating seat numbers to avoid confusion.

The arrangements are intended to address both the presentation of the festivities and the practical concerns of visitors attending the events.

Invitations and inauguration

Mr. Shivakumar said ambassadors from various countries had been invited to the Dasara festivities.

Heads of different religions had also been invited to participate in the inauguration atop Chamundi Hill on October 11.

Religious heads from various parts of the State would be hosted by the Suttur Mutt, which has taken responsibility for their hospitality.

The Chief Minister said Sri Gavisiddeshwara Swami of Gavimath in Koppal had been invited to inaugurate the festivities.

“Dasara is our pride. All steps have been taken to make it a grand event,” he said.

Ministers have been assigned responsibility for overseeing events on specific days to ensure discipline in the organisation and prevent inconvenience to visitors.

The list of Ministers and the responsibilities assigned to them would be released soon, Mr. Shivakumar said.

Royal family and cultural participation

Mr. Shivakumar directed the district administration to take the Mysuru royal family into confidence while organising the festivities.

He said members of the royal family should be accorded due respect and that their suggestions and guidance should be sought.

“Politics should not come into the celebrations,” he said.

Medal winners from Karnataka at the Asian Games would be invited to participate in Yuva Dasara, he added.

A tableau representing the Tibetan community settled in Karnataka, particularly Bylakuppe, would participate in the Dasara procession this year.

A special tableau from Dakshina Kannada would also be presented during the celebrations.

Procession and illumination plans

The Chief Minister said multiple folk and cultural teams performing similar programmes should not be allowed to appear separately in the procession.

Instead, such teams should be grouped into larger units to avoid repetition.

The arrangement is part of the instructions aimed at ensuring discipline in the organisation of the festivities.

Mr. Shivakumar also directed the CESC to ensure that the 21-day Dasara illumination remained a major highlight of the celebrations.

The flex-free directive, visitor arrangements, procession changes and illumination plans form part of the preparations being overseen for Mysuru Dasara-2026.

Source: The Hindu