Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s wife Sonal Shah, who visited Mysore Palace in city yesterday, being felicitated by Mysore Palace Board Dy. Director T.S. Subramanya with a portrait of the golden throne.

Sonal Shah at Shuka Vana in Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram premises on Nanjangud Road in Mysuru.

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Mysore/Mysuru: ‘I Love Mysuru,’ a selfie board in English kept at the parking lot near the North Gate of Mysore Palace, that had turned the eyes of pro-Kannada activists red, was removed by Abhaya, emergency rescue team of Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) recently.

The selfie board had been kept only a few days ago and had become a perfect backdrop for the devotees coming to Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple at Palace North Gate, joggers, pigeon feeders and couples of pre-wedding photo shoots, for taking a snap and video. But, the pro-Kannada activists had raised objection for Kannada being ignored with undue prominence given to English in the selfie board. They had even blackened the board, besides writing on the surface with a caution to give due prominence to Kannada.

That apart, the pro-Kannada activists had also blackened the painting of ‘No Parking’ instructions by Mysuru City Police, at the same parking lot, with an appeal to replace the words with Kannada. To avoid controversy from escalating further, Abhaya personnel were deployed to remove the selfie board, which is now kept in the Town Hall premises, opposite Palace.

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‘Artists who painstakingly undertook works not paid stipend’

Mysore/Mysuru: The ambitious plan of restoring paintings and murals at the temples inside the Mysore Palace premises to increase their aesthetic value has come to a grinding halt since the last two years. This concern was brought to light during a press conference held at Patrakarthara Bhavan here recently, where speakers urged prompt resumption of these restoration efforts.

Addressing the media persons, former Corporator M. Sriram revealed that the painstaking work of art restoration had been abruptly halted due to a shortage of funds.

“The project aimed to rejuvenate century-old oil paintings, stained glass windows, frescoes and depictions of Gods and Goddesses — integral pieces of tangible history and culture. Regrettably, the artists involved have not received their stipends,” he explained.

The project began at the end of 2021 and the task was handed over to National Research Laboratory for Conservation (NRLC) of Cultural Property, Lucknow, which entrusted the work to its Regional Conservation Laboratory in Mysuru. The Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage initiated the conservation works. As part of the efforts, the conservation and restoration works were taken up at Sri Shwetha Varahaswamy and Sri Ambujavalli Mahalakshmi temples.

“The art works were being restored by S.V. Sahana from Mysuru and two other artists from North India. But the North Indian artists left the work as stipend was not paid to them for their intricate works. Sahana continued the work but the authorities failed to pay her the stipend, insulting the efforts. Only after much appeals and persuasion, Sahana got a delayed stipend but the restoration work has come to a standstill,” he said.

Sriram appealed to the authorities to restart the restoration works. “There is information that the work will start soon,” he added.

 Speaking on other issues, he emphasised on the importance of acknowledging the associate sculptors who collaborated with Arun Yogiraj in crafting Balak Ram idol (Ram Lalla) at Ayodhya Sri Ram Temple. While expressing appreciation for the recognition accorded to Arun Yogiraj, he underscored the need for similar honours to be extended to his team members.

“We wholeheartedly appreciate the recognition bestowed upon Arun Yogiraj, but it is crucial not to overlook the contributions of his team mates. The district authorities should take steps to ensure that all the sculptors from Mysuru who played a role in carving the Balak Ram idol receive the deserved recognition and are duly felicitated,” he added.

He welcomed the decision of constructing a Ram Temple at Harohalli-Gujjegowdanapura from where the Balak Ram idol stone was excavated and said that like Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to consecrate the Ayodhya Ram Temple, former PM H.D. Deve Gowda must be invited to inaugurate the Temple at Harohalli-Gujjegowdanapura.

Lion K. Shivappa, industrialist Lochan Nagaraj, contractor Ningegowda, labour leader R. Rangaswamy and artist S.V. Sahana were present.

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Mysore/Mysuru: To celebrate the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, the Mysore Palace Board, in collaboration with the Department of Religious Endowment, conducted special pujas at the Palace premises this morning.

Before the commencement of the puja rituals, the utsava murthis (festival idols) from all the temples within the Palace premises, including Sri Shwethavarahaswamy Temple, Sri Trineshwara Swamy Temple, Sri Kodi Bhairaveshwaraswamy Temple, Sri Prasanna Krishnaswamy Temple, Sri Khille Venkataramanaswamy Temple, Sri Bhuvaneshwari Temple, Sri Gayathri Temple, Sri Lakshmiramanaswamy Temple, Sri Anjaneyaswamy Temple, and Sri Ganapathi Temple, were installed under a green pandal. Various rituals were then performed by priests from the Palace and Temples.

 A highlight of the rituals was the procession of the 300-year-old statue of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshmana from Sri Prasanna Krishnaswamy Temple, taken within the premises alongside other utsava murtis after the Poornahuti. 

The Palace rituals included the Rama Taraka Homa followed by Mahamangalarathi. Bhajan mandalis members recited various bhajans dedicated to Lord Rama during the ceremony.

Tourists visiting the Palace had the opportunity to witness these rituals from the gallery. Members of the erstwhile Mysore royal family, including Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Mysore Palace Board Deputy Director T.S. Subramanya and others were present during the celebration. Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and his wife Trishikha Kumari Wadiyar are in Ayodhya for the grand event.

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Special ceremonies held at Palace Temples

Mysore/Mysuru: With the consecration of Lord Ram Lalla idol at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, Mysuru city transformed into a vibrant spectacle adorned in saffron, exuding a festive ambience.

To commemorate this auspicious occasion, special pujas and rituals unfolded at Rama Mandiras and Anjaneyaswamy Temples across various localities including households. 

Devotees flocked to these temples from early morning, creating a joyous atmosphere as they sought darshan and blessings on this special day. The fervour extended beyond Ram Temples, with devotees visiting Chamundeshwari, Ganapathi, Shiva and Venkateshwara temples, resulting in an unusual rush and a sense of celebration throughout the city.

Circles and junctions were transformed with decorations such as cutouts, flexes, buntings, banners and saffron flags of various sizes featuring Lord Ram.  

Public transport vehicles, including autos, cabs, buses,  two-wheelers and four-wheelers, displayed saffron flags atop their vehicles.

Many temples, individuals, and organisations joyously distributed prasadam to the public, sharing their happiness over the inauguration of the  Ram Mandir.

Additionally, various educational institutions, private associations, commercial establishments, hotels and restaurants celebrated the occasion within their premises. Some organisations and individuals went a step further, distributing laddus to members of the public.

While the Union Government declared a half-day holiday for its employees, the State Government, although not mandating a holiday, directed the Muzrai Department to conduct special pujas at all Muzrai temples across the State.

The city resonated with collective joy and celebration in honour of this momentous event.

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Mysore/Mysuru: Christopher W. Hodges, Consul General of United States of America, visited the Mysore Palace on Thursday.

He was warmly welcomed by Deputy Director of Palace Board T.S. Subramanya, who felicitated him with a Mysore Peta, shawl and sandalwood garland. The Consul General and his team, who went around the Palace seeing the Golden Howdah, Kalyana Mantap, rare paintings, Durbar Halls, Silver Doors, praised the beauty of the Palace and appreciated the maintenance of Palace Gardens. In the Visitor’s Book he wrote: “Enjoyed this informative tour of a truly magical place! Thanks to the team and can’t wait to return.”

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Mysore/Mysuru: The Cultural Capital and Heritage City of Mysuru played host to a spectacular New Year celebration last night, welcoming 2024 with renewed vigour and an atmosphere filled with joy, music and cultural festivities.

The Central Business District and more than 25 renowned hospitality brands transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours and lights, with festive decorations creating an enchanting backdrop for the diverse crowd that gathered on the streets, particularly around the Mysore Palace.

Amidst a rise in COVID-19 cases due to the JN.1 variant, a grand welcome was accorded to the New Year in Mysuru, with crowds cheering and their voices echoing through the air. Despite concerns, the revelry was not overshadowed and only a few individuals were seen wearing masks. Notably, Mysuru had also welcomed 2023 amid similar concerns over the Omicron variant.

As the clock struck midnight, wishes rained down in the scenic Mysore Palace premises, with tourists enjoying the colourful fireworks display from 12 midnight to 12.15 am. A noiseless spectacle, the fireworks brought the crowd together in awe.

Before that, the Police Band performed Karnataka and English Bands from 11 pm to 12 am, blending tradition and modernity. The 50-member band captivated music buffs, transporting them momentarily into the world of music.

15,000 people at Palace

As per data, over 15,000 people celebrated New Year at the Palace. At the event hosted by the Mysuru District Administration and the Mysuru Palace Board, Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Rajendra and Palace Board Deputy Director T.S. Subramanya and other officials cut the cake to mark the  arrival of 2024.

The illumination of the Palace with lakhs of incandescent bulbs added golden hues to the glory, while the outer premises were adorned with floral artworks. Crowds revelled in the beauty of every nook and corner of the vast Palace campus. The Winter Flower Show at the Palace concluded, attracting over five lakh visitors over the last nine days to witness artistic  floral arrangements.

Music and dance

The city witnessed diverse celebrations in hotels, pubs, and clubs. People exchanged greetings, wishing each other happiness throughout the year. The city’s vibrant spirit was evident in dance performances, comedy shows, DJ music and musical evenings in various venues.

Most bars, pubs and restaurants were pre-booked with no walk-ins, and staff diligently collected party-goers’ credentials as per Police instructions. Various establishments curated multiple performances, both indoors and outdoors, for the public to enjoy, employing drones and door frame metal detectors to ensure security.

This apart, people thronged bakeries, sweets shops to buy cakes, sweets and snacks to celebrate the New Year with families and friends at their homes. They even thronged markets to buy fruits and flowers to offer pujas on the occasion of New Year on Monday.

Over 1,500 personnel from various wings of Mysuru City Police led by Commissioner Ramesh Banoth, DCPs M. Muthuraj and S. Jahnavi kept a strict vigil on people and ensured safe and secure celebrations.

On the day leading up to the New Year, the city bustled with tourists exploring popular destinations such as the Mysuru Zoo, Chamundi Hill, KRS Dam and Brindavan Gardens. The city’s attractions, including the Palace and other landmarks, were crowded with visitors eager to soak in the cultural richness that Mysuru offers.

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Flower Show: 3.5 lakh and Mysuru Zoo: 1.02 lakh visitors in three days; KRS Dam: 12,000 per day

Mysore/Mysuru: Traditionally recognised for drawing tourists during Dasara and summer holidays, Mysuru has evolved into a popular year-end destination, a trend that has continued this year.

As of Christmas, all categories of hotels and resorts in Mysuru were fully booked, totalling 10,500 rooms, and now visitors have extended their stays until Jan. 2, 2024. The renowned Mysore Palace Winter Flower Show, inaugurated on Dec. 23, has witnessed a significant tourist influx, exceeding 3.5 lakh visitors.

Deputy Director of Mysore Palace Board T.S. Subramanya said that the floral displays will undergo changes today and tomorrow. The exhibition utilises four lakh flowers representing 35 different species. Notably, the replica of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Chennakeshava Temple in Somanathpura alone requires 3.5 tonnes of flowers.

Likewise, Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam has witnessed a robust footfall, with over 12,000 visitors per day. Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited (CNNL), responsible for managing the Dam and the Brindavan Gardens, has reported an average daily attendance of over 4,500 adults, 4,500 children and an equal number of school children on vacations.

Tourists predominantly flock to KRS after 3 pm, seeking respite in the cool breeze and immersing themselves in the captivating beauty of the recently refurbished musical fountains. Authorities anticipate this surge to continue until Jan. 3 or Jan. 4.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, renowned as Mysuru Zoo, provided data revealing a substantial influx of visitors. From Dec. 23 to Dec. 25, a total of 1,01,965 tourists explored the Zoo, spending an entire day amidst wildlife and rare species.

Comparatively, the number of Zoo visitors has experienced a notable increase from 77,833 visitors during the same period last year to 1,01,965 this year. On Dec. 23, 2022, total 16,682 visitors were recorded, rising to 25,860 this year. The Christmas Eve of 2022 witnessed 26,335 visitors, escalating to 40,761 on the corresponding day this year. Similarly, on Dec. 25, 2022, 34,796 visitors were registered, with a slight increase to 35,344 this year.

In addition to Mysuru’s attractions, tourists frequently venture to nearby destinations, enriching their travel experience. Notable places include Srirangapatna, Melukote, Kere Thonnur in Pandavapura, Nanjangud, Bandipur, Nagarahole, Somnathapura, Talakad and Kodagu. For some, Mysuru serves as a strategic stopover on their journey to Nilgiris and Ooty.

The well-known guided city rounds via the double-decker bus ‘Ambaari’ have witnessed significant demand, particularly in the evenings. This reflects the enduring popularity and appeal of Mysuru and its surrounding areas as preferred year-end travel destinations.

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Mysore/Mysuru: Curtains came down on the colourful cultural programmes organised as a part of ongoing Winter Flower Show at Palace premises, on Monday evening.

For four days, a mix of dance, music and painting exhibition attracted the visitors alongside the world of flowers. While the cultural programmes have concluded, the Winter Flower Show will be on till Dec. 31.

On the concluding day, the evening of cultural programmes unfolded with Bharatanatyam, followed by rendition of Dasa Keerthanas, popular songs in Kannada and also folk songs, striking a chord with music connoisseurs.

Vidushi Dr. Nagalakshmi Nagarajan and troupe from Champaka Academy performed Bharatanatyam dance on ‘Devi Vaibhavam’, followed by ‘Sri Mahaganapathi,’ ’Kanjadala Yatakshi,’ ‘Sri Chamundeshwari’ composed by Mysore Vasudevacharya and ‘Sri Maha Tripura Sundari’ composed by erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore Jayachamaraja Wadiyar.

Vocalist Vidushi Chetana Nagaraj, accompanied by Vikram Bharadwaj on mridanga and Amogh on violin, presented a music concert.

Vidwan Vidyabhushan rendered Dasa Keerthanas setting a devotional mood, while noted artist Ganjifa Raghupathi Bhat recreated the sequences of epic Ramayana with a stroke of brush on the canvas. As ‘Narayana Govinda Jaya’, ‘Sri Ram Jayaram’ and other Dasa Keerthanas were rendered, Bhat painted the sequences of ‘Rama-Ravana battle’ and ‘Heroics of Lakshmana and Hanumantha’ in an attractive manner. Vidwan Vidyabhushan was accompanied by Vidwan Vishwajit on violin, Vidwan Mahesh Swamy on flute, Anirudh Bhat on mridanga and Vidwan Jagadish Kurthukoti on tabla.

Noted singer M.D. Pallavi mellifluously sang all time hit songs like — Karunalu Baa Belake, K.S. Nisar

Ahmed’s ‘Jogada Siri Belakinalli’, ‘Kannadave Sathya, Kannadave Nithya’ and several other songs penned by noted Kannada poets.

Udupi Puttige Mutt Seer Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, who watched the cultural programmes, recalled the contributions of erstwhile Mysore Maharajas to the Mutt at Tirthahalli in Shivamogga district. Erstwhile Mysore Royal Family Member Pramoda Devi Wadiyar will be invited to ‘Paryaya Poorva Parikrama Yatre’ and the devotees from Mysuru should also be a part of the event, added Seer in his call to the gathering.

Junior Pontiff of Puttige Mutt Sushreendra Teertha Swamiji was also present.

On account of Christmas vacation, people came in droves to flower show last evening. It is a sight to behold the beauty of flowers in the backdrop of illuminated Mysore Palace and the people were eager to capture the moments in their cell phone cameras. Till date, about 3.5 lakh people have visited the flower show, said Deputy Director of Mysore Palace Board T.S. Subramanya. The flowers will be changed today and tomorrow (Dec. 27), as four lakh flowers of 35 different species are used for the flower show. A replica of UNESCO World Heritage Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura, alone needs 3.5 tonnes of flowers, added Subramanya.

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 Singers Hemanth Kumar, Shamitha Malnad, Ankita Kundu and Ashwin Sharma presenting ‘Sangeetha Yana’ musical evening in front of the illuminated Mysore Palace yesterday as part of Winter Flower Show cultural programmes.

Hemalatha Kumaraswamy and troupe presented Sugama Sangeetha while Rensi N. Yogesh-led team gave a Karate Demo. The cultural programmes will conclude today (Dec. 25) with dance recital by Nagalakshmi & troupe at 6 pm; Kuncha Gayana by Vidyabhushan & Raghupathi Bhat at 7 pm; Sugama Sangeetha by M.D. Pallavi and troupe at 8 pm.

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