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Shailaja Kamal Gopinath

The Mysore Dassera Exhibition at the Doddakere Maidan has long been one of the prime attractions of Dassera as celebrated in the state.

This time round, the Karnataka Exhibition Authority has embarked on the ambitious project of transforming the exhibition into a round-the-year tourist attraction, with permanent illuminations of the giant entrance ways mirroring the illuminations that transform the Mysore palace into a visual fairy tale. And within, the prime attraction will be the Musical Fountain, installed at a cost of Rs 4.4 million and akin to the world renowned Musical Fountain at Brindavan Gardens in Krishnaraja Sagar.

No expense is being spared on the project, which is rapidly taking on the contours of a theme park with gigantic idols of Chamundeshwari and her principal opponent Mahishasur standing amidst fountains, flower gardens, concert stages and suchlike, the whole linked by a monorail system.

While the duration of the Dassera festival will see the stages within the exhibition grounds being taken over by a series of cultural performances, the organisers indicate that once the curtain comes down on Dassera, the celebratory mood will be maintained with theme shows and exhibitions reflecting the 50th anniversary of Independence.

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