MYSURU: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday inaugurated the world-famous Dasara festival atop Chamundi Hills here. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, along with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, welcomed the President at Mandakalli airport.
The President arrived at Chamundi Hill and offered prayers to Naada Devi Chamundeshwari. The 10-day festivities were to be inaugurated in the auspicious Vrishika Lagna between 9.45 am and 10.05 am. However, the President inaugurated Dasara at 10.09 am, four minutes late than scheduled. The President was felicitated with a Mysuru Peta and a shawl along with a silver Chamundi idol.
Droupadi Murmu vowed the crowed by beginning her speech in Kannada. “Devi Chamundeshwari ge nanna manapoorva namaskaragalu. Ella sahodara sahodariyarige nanna hridayapoorvaka namaskaragalu (My salutations to Chamundeshwari Devi. My heartfelt greetings to all brothers and sisters)”, she said.
Extending her wishes on the occasion of the Naada habba Dasara to the people of Karnataka, she said, “People from all over the world come to Chamundi Hills to worship Mother Chamundi, which is also one of the major Shakti Peethas. Karnataka is rich spiritually and culturally. Shankaracharya’s great legacy, Basavanna, and Allamma Prabhu made a great revolution in this country.
“Basavanna started a social revolution on a massive scale to get rid of caste and discrimination. Heroic women like Rani Abbakka and Kittur Rani Chennamma are a symbol of women power on this soil. Karnataka is progressing under the guidance of Governor Gehlot and CM Basavaraj Bommai,” Murmu added.
In his address earlier, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, “Mother Chamundi protects the whole state by giving rain and crops from time to time. Goddess Chamundi’s power reaches the entire state. The President accepted the state’s invitation to inaugurate Dasara. Today is not the time of Mahishasura. But there are such things within us. We have to let go of those qualities. This is the time to get rid of bad thoughts and embrace good ones. We have to achieve more progress in all the fields. May goddess bestow her grace on all. I welcome the President on behalf of the people of Karnataka”.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot too started his speech in Kannada by saying that,” Greetings to all. My Dasara wishes to all the people of Karnataka. The President has come to inaugurate the Naada habba Dasara at the state’s invitation. I had seen Dasara only on television. It is a pleasure to witness these moments in person this time.”
This is for the first time the President inaugurated the Dasara festivities. Prior to the inauguration, she offered special prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari atop Chamundi Hills. For the occasion, she wore the silk saree that was presented to her at the time of extending the invitation to her.
Many tribal communities of Mysuru region had arrived at Chamundi Hill in their traditional costumes to see the President who inaugurated the Naada habba.
Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Shobha Karandlaje, state ministers V Sunil Kumar and S T Somashekhar were among the other diginitaries present.