Dasara fest begins at Mysuru amid tight security

Noted Kannada writer Chennaveera Kanavi inaugurated the 406th edition of the state festival by offering prayers at Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari temple atop the hill on the city's outskirts in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other dignitaries. Mysuru royal dynasty's adopted scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodiyar held a private durbar (court) in the Amba Vilas Palace in the state's cultural capital, about 150 km from Bengaluru. Though the grand festival is held for 10 days every year, it will be 11 days this time due to an extra day in the Hindu (lunar) calendar owing to planetary movements.