The Crossbill News Desk
Mysuru’s famed Dasara festivities began on Monday (September 22) with International Booker Prize 2025 winner Banu Mushtaq inaugurating the 11-day celebration atop the Chamundi Hills.
Mushtaq, the author of Heart Lamp, showered flowers on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, placed in a silver chariot, as priests chanted Vedic hymns during the auspicious ‘Vrushchika Lagna’.
According to a report in The Hindu, Mushtaq described Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru, as a symbol of power in a woman and her undefeatable will power. She added that womanhood represents not only softness and motherly affection, but also strength that fights injustice.
Mushtaq, who also offered prayers at the Chamundeshwari temple along with Chief minister Siddaramaiah before the inauguration, used her address to call for unity and inclusiveness.
“Our culture is our root, harmony is our strength, and economy is our wings. Let’s build a new society that is filled with human values and love, along with our youth in India – that is also strong educationally, economically, and industrially. Let everyone have an equal share and opportunity in that society,” she said.
Speaking about her personal bond with Hindu traditions, Mushtaq noted, “I have been to various events, have been invited to many, I have lit lamps and offered flowers a number of times and have accepted mangalarati. This is not new to me.”
The ceremony was held amid heavy security arrangements by the Mysuru city police, as the state’s grand festival commenced. Chief minister Siddaramaiah had extended the invitation to Mushtaq as part of the tradition of honouring distinguished Kannadigas, a move that had drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders who questioned the decision on religious grounds.
The matter escalated to the Supreme Court after a petition sought to prevent her from inaugurating the festival. On Friday, the court dismissed the plea, upholding that a secular state cannot bar dignitaries from state-sponsored events on the basis of religion.
“This is a State event… The State cannot distinguish between A, B or C religion,” Justice Vikram Nath observed, stressing government neutrality.
She had earlier remarked that the controversy surrounding her selection was unnecessary.
“I do not belong to any particular caste or religion. The state belongs to all Kannadigas,” she had said, underscoring that the festival should be a source of unity, not division.
Mushtaq, the author of Heart Lamp, showered flowers on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, placed in a silver chariot, as priests chanted Vedic hymns during the auspicious ‘Vrushchika Lagna’.
According to a report in The Hindu, Mushtaq described Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru, as a symbol of power in a woman and her undefeatable will power. She added that womanhood represents not only softness and motherly affection, but also strength that fights injustice.
Mushtaq, who also offered prayers at the Chamundeshwari temple along with Chief minister Siddaramaiah before the inauguration, used her address to call for unity and inclusiveness.
“Our culture is our root, harmony is our strength, and economy is our wings. Let’s build a new society that is filled with human values and love, along with our youth in India – that is also strong educationally, economically, and industrially. Let everyone have an equal share and opportunity in that society,” she said.
Speaking about her personal bond with Hindu traditions, Mushtaq noted, “I have been to various events, have been invited to many, I have lit lamps and offered flowers a number of times and have accepted mangalarati. This is not new to me.”
The ceremony was held amid heavy security arrangements by the Mysuru city police, as the state’s grand festival commenced. Chief minister Siddaramaiah had extended the invitation to Mushtaq as part of the tradition of honouring distinguished Kannadigas, a move that had drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders who questioned the decision on religious grounds.
The matter escalated to the Supreme Court after a petition sought to prevent her from inaugurating the festival. On Friday, the court dismissed the plea, upholding that a secular state cannot bar dignitaries from state-sponsored events on the basis of religion.
“This is a State event… The State cannot distinguish between A, B or C religion,” Justice Vikram Nath observed, stressing government neutrality.
She had earlier remarked that the controversy surrounding her selection was unnecessary.
“I do not belong to any particular caste or religion. The state belongs to all Kannadigas,” she had said, underscoring that the festival should be a source of unity, not division.
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