Winter flower show blooms at Mysuru Palace, dazzling visitors

NT Correspondent

Mysuru

The 10th edition of the ten-day winter festival, an annual flower show organised by the Mysuru Palace Board to mark the Christmas and New Year vacation, commenced on Saturday at the Mysuru Palace premises. District Minister Dr H.C. Mahadevappa inaugurated the festival in the presence of legislators G.T. Devegowda, T.S. Srivatsa, Manjegowda, D. Thimmaiah, ZP CEO K.M. Gayathri, Tourism Department Joint Director M.K. Savitha, Mysuru Palace Board Deputy Director Subramanaya, and other dignitaries. A highlight of this year’s flower show is a grand replica of the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, created using several lakh flowers.

The temple’s floral model, crafted with Dutch roses, standard chrysanthemums, and other blossoms, is among the main attractions, along with various other floral exhibits that collectively feature around 12 lakh flowers. The flower show, a major event hosted by the palace after the Dasara festivities, continues to be a key draw for tourists visiting Mysuru during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Other attractions include millet models of the Wadiyars, floral depictions of peacocks, the Gandaberunda, and the Karnataka government’s five guarantees. A photography exhibition on the Wadiyars and a dolls’ display have also been organised as part of the festivities.

The festival will conclude with a midnight fireworks display on 31 December to welcome the New Year, accompanied by a police band performance and cultural events. The Mysuru Palace will remain illuminated throughout the ten-day festival. Entry is priced at ?30 for visitors above 18 years, ?20 for other adults, and is free for children. The festival is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. onwards.