Heat, street vendors take the sheen off flower show

Mysuru: One of the major attractions of this year’s Dasara is the Glass House and 12-day flower show at Kuppanna Park in the city. Inaugurated on October 11, the flower show is attracting tourists in large numbers.
The replica of various heritage sites, including Mysuru Palace Balarama Gate, Amar Jawan, dancing dolls, Mickey Mouse with mushrooms, Ashoka Pillar etc have been recreated with flowers, especially roses of various hues. The replica of Ashoka Pillar is made with more than 74,000 roses while Balarama Gate of Mysuru Palace has been created using more than 1 lakh chrysanthemum.

But tourists, who pay Rs 25 as entry fee, are returning disappointed due to poor maintenance and planning. Street vendors are allowed to sell household items on the lawns next to the flower replicas. The entry points and pathways are filled with slush due to waterlogging. Flowers are withering fast due to dry weather and high temperature. Officials said the flowers are replaced only once in 12 days during the exhibition.

According to tourists who visited Kuppanna Park on Monday, the whole area stinks. “The entry point was filled with slush. Visitors were forced to walk through it, and street vendors were also allowed to occupy the entrance,” alleged Sarojamma, 68, a tourist from Dharwad.

Visitors say that street vendors have also occupied the lawns next to all major replicas, and are selling various items without fear. “Security guards and other officials are just mute spectators. They were not allowing visitors to take pictures near the replicas,” said Harshita Nagaraj, a student of Chamarajanagar.