Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has said that Dasara 2016 celebrations would be conducted in the traditional way, unlike last year when drought crisis had dampened the festive spirit.

After the Dasara executive committee on August 9, the Chief Minister announced that Kannada poet Channaveera Kanavi has been invited to inaugurate the festivities.

In 2015, Kadilal Shamanna, who was to inaugurate the festival declined the invitation following several cases of farmers committing suicide.

This year’s theme would be water conservation in a bid to go green.

HC Mahadevappa, Minister for Public Works, who is also the district in-charge said that the government will spend nearly Rs 14.25 crore for this year’s festivities and the budget includes funding for Dasara-related civic works, including road repairs.