MADIKERI:

Madikeri Dasara commenced on Wednesday according to its tradition, with four historical karagas taking off in a procession after various poojas were performed near Pampinkere.

The festival is celebrated by the people as janothsava, which has a history of over 100 years. The nine-day celebrations is beautified by four karagas and 10 mantaps depicting the killing of demons by gods/goddess.

Each mantap comprises of idols with a height of eight to 15 feet, which is set up at the front of a lighting board. The cost of building a mantap may touch Rs 3 to 5 lakh.

The procession of these mantaps attracts lakh of devotees and viewers on the night on October 6, the Vijayadashami Day. Each of these mantap depicts historical stories from the Hindu mythology. The idols in the mantap are given movements to match the story.

From Wednesday four karagas from the four Mariamma temples in town will move in a procession in different areas accompanied by traditional dancers and visitors.

A team of Volaga, a type of band in Kodagu, also accompanies the karagas. The priests who take up the karagas are dressed in yellow coloured ‘kacche’ and have shaved heads. They also hold a knife in one hand and a wooden stick called the ‘bettha’ in the other.

The Dasara committee has organized cultural programmes on all nine days starting Wednesday. Programmes will be held at the Kaveri Kalakshetra on the first six days the festival, while programmes will be conducted at Gandhi Maidan for the other days.
On October 9, Vijayadashami Day, there will an orchestra from 9pm till 6am. The programme will conclude with a prize distribution ceremony for the three best mantaps. The state government has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for Madikeri Dasara.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City > Mysore / TNN / September 28th, 2011