Mysuru, (DHNS): The 407th edition of Mysuru Dasara was inaugurated by K S Nissar Ahmed, poet of Nityotsava fame, atop the Chamundi Hills on Thursday.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, PWD and District In-Charge Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, Minister for Women and Child Development Umashree, MLA G T Devegowda, Mayor M J Ravikumar, MPs R Dhruvanarayan and Pratap Simha were also present.

In his address, Siddaramaiah said the government had decided to celebrate Dasara in a simple manner due to the drought-like situation across the state. He, however, said that the state has been receiving good rain in recent days.

The chief minister said this year’s Dasara gained much significance as Nissar Ahmed inaugurated the ‘Nada Habba’. Siddaramaiah also hailed Mysuru as not only the “City of Palaces” but the “Cultural Capital” too. He recalled the contributions of Wadiyars in promoting art, architecture and culture. Today, Mysuru is on the global map only because of Wadiyars, the chief minister said.

Puja performed.

Earlier in the day, temple chief priest Shashishekara Dixit performed puja to the processional deity which was placed on a silver chariot. Later, the dignitaries showered petals on the idol to mark the inauguration of the Dasara. After the ceremony, Minister for Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fisheries Pramod Madwaraj handed over the sports baton to chess grandmaster M S Thej Kumar. The chief minister also inaugurated Police Help Desk Centres (kiosks) on Chamundi Hills.