Mysuru is gearing up for the formal inauguration of its internationally famous Dasara celebrations at the scenic Chamundi Hill .

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai last week announced that President Droupadi Murmu has given her consent to open the Mysuru Dasara-2022, which will begin from September 26.

Bommai took to social media and wrote: “Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, has been invited to inaugurate the world-famous Mysore Dussehra celebrations and has confirmed her arrival. It is a privilege for all of us that Mrs. Murmu, who has held the highest post in the country, is coming to the state to inaugurate Dussehra

The launch scheduled for Sept. 26, preparations are underway at the Mysore Palace to celebrate Navarathri rituals in a traditional manner and the gems-and-diamond-studded Golden Throne will be assembled at the Palace on Sept. 20.

The Private Durbar (Khaas Durbar) by the royal family during Dasara is one of the main attractions and the same will be held from Sept. 26. Titular head of the Mysore Royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar will hold the Private Durbar by sitting on the Golden Throne.

The additional centre of attraction , this time is the birth of a male calf to Lakshmi, the 22-year-old Dasara elephant in the Mysore Palace premises . The birth of the calf has brought cheer to the Navarathri festivities and the members of the Mysore royal family, Mahouts, Kavadis and their families are elated.

Equally happy are the Forest Department officials, who are taking good care of the mother and son. The Forest Department has created a separate enclosure for Lakshmi and her calf and entry has been restricted. The Mysore Palace Board is thinking of naming the calf as ‘Ganapathi’. Vishalakshi Devi, sister of late Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar had taken personal care in bringing up Lakshmi and the bond between the mother elephant and the royal family has grown only stronger with the birth.

In fact, Lakshmi was separated from her mother deep inside the forests. After taking permission from the Forest Department, Vishalakshi Devi, passionate about animals, provided food and shelter to Lakshmi at her resort near Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Later, following a Supreme Court order, Vishalakshi Devi handed over Lakshmi to the Forest Department.