Clash Over DJ Music in Gonikoppa Dasara, Minor Chaos at Madikeri Dasara

Youths stage a protest after authorities halted DJ music during the Dasara celebrations at Gonikoppa in Kodagu.

Madikeri/Gonikoppa: The grand Shobha Yatras marking Vijayadashami, the finale of Dasara celebrations, were held with splendour in Madikeri and Gonikoppa on Thursday. Thousands of people gathered to witness the decorated mantapas and cultural displays. The Kodagu district police made elaborate security arrangements to ensure peaceful conduct, though minor disturbances were reported at both venues.

In Madikeri, tension erupted soon after the announcement of results of the ten competing mantapas. Members of one committee stormed the stage alleging bias in prize distribution, leading to chaos. Police swiftly intervened and pacified the crowd, bringing the situation under control, according to reports.

In Gonikoppa the celebrations turned unruly around midnight after authorities ordered the shutdown of DJ sound systems installed at a few mantapas. Revelers, upset over the sudden halt, began protesting on the streets. The music remained suspended between 1:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. However, as dawn broke, DJ music resumed and people once again thronged to dance in front of the mantapas. Vehicular entry into the town centre remained restricted, and a few mantapas are yet to return to their respective bases.

Madikeri Dasara is among the most famous festivals of Kodagu and also in Karnataka after Mysuru Dasara, celebrated for over a century with unparalleled grandeur. The tradition dates back to the reign of Kodagu rulers, when the festival was observed with devotion and community participation. The hallmark of Madikeri Dasara is the night-long procession of 10 lavishly decorated mantapas, each depicting mythological themes with illuminated idols, music, and dance. Over the years, it has grown into a cultural extravaganza attracting tourists from across Karnataka and neighbouring states.