Only a week left for the commencement of historic Madikeri Dasara celebrations. However, the preparations have failed to take off as the state government has not released funds for Dasara celebrations, following row over sharing Cauvery water.
As a result, the Dasara Committee in Madikeri is in a complicated situation. The district administration had convened two round of meetings on the preparations for the Dasara festivities recently. Without the promise of release of fund, the Dasara committee is not sure of initiating the preparations for Dasara celebrations.
There has been change in weather condition in the district for the last one week. Along with rain, the region is experiencing cold weather coupled with mist. In such a scenario, the organisers feel the weather could dampen the spirit of the Dasara programmes.
The Madikeri Janotsava commence with the procession of four Shakthidevathes. Barring cleanliness work, no other preparations have been initiated. The work on filling the potholes have not been taken up along with the work on setting of stage for the programme.
Dasara Committee Member Chummi Devaiah told DH that the Dasara invitations have been printed. Even the list of cultural programmes are ready. "Hoping that the state government will release fund, we have prepared an estimate of Rs1.50 crore. The committee will meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday at 10.30 am and will get the clear picture of the availability of fund for the Dasara celebrations," said Devaiah.
Like last year, if the state government releases only Rs 50 lakh, then the dream of organising a 'grand Dasara' will be dashed to the ground. Though Dashamantapa Samithi members have started raising donations from the public, the Dasara Committee members have not raised donations from the public.
The Dashamantapa Committee members had opposed the move of the Dasara Committee members to raise donations from general public last year. As a result, the committee is solely dependent on government funding for the Dasara celebrations this year.
As a result, the Dasara Committee in Madikeri is in a complicated situation. The district administration had convened two round of meetings on the preparations for the Dasara festivities recently. Without the promise of release of fund, the Dasara committee is not sure of initiating the preparations for Dasara celebrations.
There has been change in weather condition in the district for the last one week. Along with rain, the region is experiencing cold weather coupled with mist. In such a scenario, the organisers feel the weather could dampen the spirit of the Dasara programmes.
The Madikeri Janotsava commence with the procession of four Shakthidevathes. Barring cleanliness work, no other preparations have been initiated. The work on filling the potholes have not been taken up along with the work on setting of stage for the programme.
Dasara Committee Member Chummi Devaiah told DH that the Dasara invitations have been printed. Even the list of cultural programmes are ready. "Hoping that the state government will release fund, we have prepared an estimate of Rs1.50 crore. The committee will meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday at 10.30 am and will get the clear picture of the availability of fund for the Dasara celebrations," said Devaiah.
Like last year, if the state government releases only Rs 50 lakh, then the dream of organising a 'grand Dasara' will be dashed to the ground. Though Dashamantapa Samithi members have started raising donations from the public, the Dasara Committee members have not raised donations from the public.
The Dashamantapa Committee members had opposed the move of the Dasara Committee members to raise donations from general public last year. As a result, the committee is solely dependent on government funding for the Dasara celebrations this year.