Mysuru organisers announce October 10 Mahisha Mandalotsava programme

The Mahisha Mandalotsava organising committee has announced that its annual event will be held in Mysuru on October 10. The programme will include floral tributes to a statue of Mahishasura atop Chamundi Hill and a public function at Town Hall. Former Mayor Purushotham, who heads the committee, told reporters that the Town Hall event would begin at 11 a.m.

He said the floral tribute would take place before the public programme. The committee describes Mahishasura as a benevolent and humanitarian Buddhist ruler whose identity has been distorted by vested interests. A section of people opposes the observance, but organisers said the event has been held for the past 16 years and that monthly floral tributes are offered at the statue.

Purushotham said the celebration was not intended as an alternative to Dasara. He said the organisers had not opposed other religious or cultural observances and would not cause inconvenience to others. He also referred to restrictions imposed by police and the district administration during earlier attempts to offer tributes on Chamundi Hill.

The committee said it would not seek police or administrative cooperation for the floral offering this year because prohibitory orders had previously been imposed there. Purushotham said permission had been sought for the Town Hall programme. He described offering floral tributes as the committee’s right and said legal action would be considered if anyone attempted to prevent the tradition.

The organisers said they would prefer not to respond to criticism but might address it from the Town Hall stage. Bodhiratna Bantheji, Jnanaprakash Swami, writer K.S. Bhagwan and Nanjaraj Urs are expected to participate.