Dasara flower show at Kuppanna Park draws huge crowds

Mysuru: Dasara flower show at Kuppanna Park, organised by the horticulture department, is drawing large crowds. Highlights include flower models of Parliament Bhavan and replicas of the gopuram of Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hills, Sri Srikanteshwara Temple at Nanjangud, Male Mahadeshwara riding on a tiger, and a millets replica model of Savithrabai Phule, also known as India's first woman teacher, who strongly advocated for women's education, irrespective of their economic and social background in the country.The department has displayed the floral model of the Indian Parliament, along with nationalist leaders BR Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Babu Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Babu Jagjivan Ram, highlighting the importance of democracy. It also festaures floral models of Anubhava Mantapa, the religious parliament initiated by the 12th century social reformer Basavanna, and Bhagawan Buddha's people's parliament model, where the 6th century saint philosopher also advocated equal rights, opportunities, and participation of women. These floral replicas were displayed with an aim to sensitise people about the roles in building an egalitarian society. The department has also displayed floral models of state govt's flagship five poll guarantee schemes aimed at ensuring basic universal schemes for the poor.The other major attractions of this year's flower show include the floral models of the T20 World Cup team and achievements of the erstwhile Mysore Royal family, such as Shivanasamudra power station, Bhadravathi Iron and Steel Works, University of Mysore, Mysore Akashvani, among others. The department has used more than four tonnes of 30 different varieties of flowers brought from Ooty, Chikkamagaluru, and Bengaluru to prepare the models this year. Apart from these, visitors can also enjoy the exotic ornamental plants displayed on the occasion, such as Poinsettia, Kalanchoe, Curcuma, Oxalis, Anthuriums, Hydrangea, Rose, Azalea, Dancing Doll, African Violet, Dis Buds, Impatiens, Lisianthus, Hibiscus, Pentas Carnea, Gloxinia, Dendrobiums, Bromeliads, Verbena, Begonia Rex, Chrysanthemum, Lilies, Orchids, and Clerodendrum.The department has also set up various stalls for the sale of homemade products and organic food products. Students of the Horticulture College, Ilwal, Mysuru were also providing information to farmers about modern methods and to farmers about organic horticultural farming.Speaking to TOI, deputy director of horticulture Manjunath Angadi said the flower show has been registering a footfall of 50,000 to 60,000 daily since the launch of the event. "Braving rain, visitors, including those from neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are enthusiastically participating in the flower show. The department replaces the flowers of its flower models once every four days," the director said. "Though the department is organising the flower show at Kuppanna Park every year during Dasara celebrations, there are not many facilities for toilets and drinking water, which are basic facilities for the visitors. The park witnesses a crowd of 50,000 to 60,000 every day, and even the footpath in the park is not paved. Visitors must walk on a muddy path, which would be difficult for them whenever it rains," said Mahalakshmi, one of the visitors, to TOI.