Mysuru: As the countdown begins for the grand Mysuru Dasara festivities, Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) has started preparations to illuminate the heritage city with colourful lighting and designer fixtures.

Despite the prevailing drought and concerns over power consumption, CESC is planning an elaborate illumination programme covering 199 roads stretching across 146 km and 123 circles in the city. The corporation is expected to consume around 2,60,920 units of electricity using LED bulbs for the Dasara illumination.

CESC has earmarked Rs 9.5 crore for the illumination works. The amount is separate from the overall Dasara budget of around Rs 50 crore.

Around 80 contractors have been awarded tenders to carry out illumination works in different parts of Mysuru. Work has already commenced at several locations as the city prepares to welcome visitors and residents for the annual festival.

Designer installations to add festive appeal

According to CESC Executive Engineer Mahadesh and Superintendent Engineer A A Sunil Kumar, the illumination programme will go beyond conventional decorative lights, with around 80 designer insignias and installations planned at strategic locations across the city.

The installations will include representations of Sri Chamundeshwari, Sri Krishna and Arjuna depicting the Geethopadesha, as well as personalities ranging from former Wadiyar Maharajas to the Chief Minister.

The city will also feature representations of visionaries and prominent figures such as Buddha, Basavanna and Dr B R Ambedkar.

Apart from personalities and religious themes, the decorative installations will include structures such as the Taj Mahal, along with representations of animals including deer and horses, birds such as peacocks and various flowers.

The traditional illuminated welcome insignia on Chamundi Hill will also form part of the decorations planned for the festival.

66 special illumination works planned

CESC has identified 66 special works as part of the Dasara illumination programme.

Around eight to nine illuminated welcome arches are planned at different entry points to Mysuru to greet visitors arriving in the city for the festivities.

Special illumination has also been planned along important Dasara routes and roads, including the routes used by the Ambari bus, Sayyaji Rao Road, Albert Victor Road and Devaraj Urs Road.

Several prominent circles will also receive special decorations. These include Hardinge Circle, Chamarajendra Circle, K R Circle, Government Ayurveda College Circle and Vidyapeetha Circle.

The illumination is intended to create a festive atmosphere across the city and enhance the experience for residents and the large number of visitors expected during Dasara.

Drone show planned at Bannimantap

Apart from conventional illumination, an elaborate drone show is also being planned at Bannimantap Ground, continuing a feature introduced during previous Dasara celebrations.

At least 3,500 drones are expected to participate in the show and form creative shapes and images in the night sky.

The proposed formations are expected to include Sri Chamundeshwari Devi, Dasara elephants and the Chief Minister, among other themes.

The drone display is expected to be one of the major visual attractions during the festivities and is aimed at adding a modern technological element to the traditional celebrations.

Environmental concerns over illumination

However, the extensive illumination plans have also raised concerns among environmentalists and citizens, particularly given the prevailing rainfall deficit and drought conditions.

Naturalist Shylajesha pointed out that the traditional illumination along the Jumbo Savari route had earlier followed the concept of hasiru chappara, using incandescent bulbs that created a distinctive golden glow.

He expressed concern that large temporary structures and lighting arrangements could affect trees and bird populations along the route.

According to him, wrapping and hanging lights on trees, along with installing lights on poles extending towards the ground and decorative structures on footpaths, could affect both the urban environment and pedestrian movement.

He also raised concerns about the potential risk of electric shock arising from improperly placed electrical installations.

Citizens call for balance

Some Mysuru residents have also urged authorities to strike a balance between festive illumination and preservation of the city’s heritage character.

Mysurean T R Sathish said Dasara illumination has traditionally had its own distinctive standard and should complement rather than overwhelm the heritage character of Mysuru.

He said excessive illumination could affect the city’s original charm and argued that attention should also be given to basic civic infrastructure such as roads and potholes.

He recalled that in earlier years, Sayyaji Rao Road received special illumination to ensure that the face of the Maharaja was clearly visible when the procession returned after the golden howdah ceremony.

The concerns reflect a broader debate over how Mysuru should present itself during Dasara while retaining its heritage identity.

Environmentalists oppose use of trees

Environmental activists from the Mysore Grahakara Parishat, including Ravi Bale and Bhamy Shenoy, have also raised objections to the use of trees for illumination.

They have written to the concerned authorities urging them not to nail fixtures onto trees or use trees as supports for decorative lighting.

The activists said such practices could adversely affect tree health and the urban ecosystem supported by the city’s green cover.

They argued that the celebration of Dasara should not come at the cost of exploiting nature, stressing that protecting and respecting nature is itself an important form of worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari.

Officials from the Forest Department and Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) have also written to CESC regarding the concerns over the use of trees for illumination.

CESC chairperson directs officials

CESC Chairperson Ramesh Bandisiddegowda, who held meetings with CESC officials on Wednesday, directed the officials not to nail trees while carrying out Dasara illumination works.

He instructed the corporation to ensure that the lighting arrangements are innovative and capable of matching the expectations of Chief Minister D K Shivakumar as well as the preferences of the younger generation.

The direction comes amid growing calls for environmentally responsible Dasara celebrations.

With the illumination work now under way, Mysuru is preparing for another grand festival season. While colourful lighting, designer installations and the proposed drone show are expected to add to the spectacle, authorities will also face the challenge of ensuring that the celebrations do not compromise the city’s trees, heritage character, public safety or environmental balance.