The process of allotting stalls for the much-anticipated Dasara Ahara Mela in Mysuru was thrown into disarray on Thursday, culminating in its suspension by officials. The draw of lots, intended to be a fair selection method, devolved into chaos at the Jaganmohan Palace auditorium, triggering protests from numerous applicants. The situation necessitated the immediate halt of the process by authorities.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the controversy stems from the Mysuru City Corporation’s (MCC) newly implemented lottery system for stall allocation. Local vendors, many of whom have participated in the food mela for over 15 years, expressed strong dissatisfaction, alleging a lack of transparency in the process. They claim the lottery system unfairly disadvantages experienced local merchants who have consistently contributed to the festival’s culinary offerings.
Vendors staged protests at the MCC office, voicing their concerns and demanding a revocation of the lottery system. Their primary grievance is that the new method sidelines long-standing participants in favor of potentially less experienced applicants, undermining the continuity and quality associated with the Ahara Mela. Several traders have pointed out that some applicants have submitted multiple applications, using names of relatives, to increase their chances of selection, a practice they believe disadvantages genuine vendors who submit single applications.
Adding to the vendors’ discontent are significant hikes in stall rents for the upcoming festival. Reports indicate that rents have surged to approximately ₹75,000 for vegetarian stalls and ₹1 lakh for non-vegetarian counters, a considerable increase from the previous year. While the application fee remains at ₹300, the substantial rise in stall charges has fueled anger among the vendors, who argue that it will impact their ability to offer food at affordable prices to the visitors.
The Mysuru Dasara Food Mela, a major attraction during the renowned Dasara celebrations, is scheduled to take place from October 11 to October 21, 2026, and is expected to feature around 120 diverse food stalls. The current dispute has cast a shadow over the preparations for this popular event, raising concerns about its smooth execution.
The Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association has also voiced opposition, not to the lottery system itself, but to the proposed 15-day duration of the Food Mela. They argue that an extended mela in the city center could adversely affect the business of licensed hotels and restaurants, which are crucial to the local economy and pay various statutory charges. The association has urged the government to consider a shorter, nine-day duration for the mela and to potentially relocate it to the outskirts of Mysuru. They also seek permission to extend operational hours for hotels and restaurants until midnight during the Dasara period.
The vendors are demanding that the stall allocation process revert to a seniority-based selection, giving preference to those who have consistently participated in the Ahara Mela over the past 15 years. They have warned of intensifying their protests if their demands are not met. The Mysuru Dasara Food Mela sub-committee has been urged to drop the lottery system and implement a selection process based on clear, transparent criteria that consider the long-term involvement of local vendors.
The situation highlights a recurring tension between the administration’s efforts to formalize and potentially expand such events, and the established vendors’ desire for continuity and fair consideration based on their long-standing participation and investment in the festival.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
