Mysuru Dasara is a dazzling 10-day Hindu festival celebrated in Mysore, Karnataka. Participate in this event to experience the win of good over evil with vibrant cultural processions. While enjoying this Karnataka festival, your senses will be overwhelmed as the Mysore Palace is illuminated, and majestic elephant processions give a royal legacy.
Moreover, you can savor the unique Mysore cuisine during this Mysore Festival. You should check out the details below to know more about this Mysore Dasara, including Mysore Dasara 2024 date, timing, history, and many more.
History Mysore Dasara
Mysore Dasara is honored to be the State Festival or Naada Habba of Karnataka. Over the years, the city has been trendy for its splendid festivities at the Dasara duration. Held all around India, the celebration of this festival can be traced back to the Puranas.
In the Southern region, the festival gained importance in the 15th century, during the reign of Vijayanagar rulers. The ruling dynasty of Mysore, the Wodeyars, continued this celebration with even more excitement under the rule of Raja Wodeyar in 1610 at Srirangapatna.
When and Why is it celebrated?
Also known as ‘Vijayadashmi,’ it is celebrated every year on the 10th day of the Navratri festival, September-October. According to Hindu mythology, this festival celebrates and commemorates the victory of good over evil when Goddess Chamundeshwari slays the demon Mahishasura.
Royal Connection
Mysore Dasara festivities are mainly a private affair of the Wodeyars and can be attended by a selected audience. At a particular time, wearing royal clothes and traditional headgear, the head of the royal family walks towards the golden royal throne to receive the wishes of the public. A special tune, composed by the Court musicians, is then played.
Dasara Celebrations
At this time, Amba Vilas Palace, or the Mysore Palace, is illuminated with beautiful lights and the whole city. Several religious and cultural programs depicting Karnataka’s culture, music, and dance are held. These events are held in the front of the Palace.
Famous performers are invited for the same. The festivities begin with a unique Pooja of the Goddess Chamundeshwari in a temple on the top of the Chamundi Hills. The royal couple, high-ranking Karnataka Govt officials, ministers, and other invitees attend this pooja.
Doll shows and flower exhibitions are the other highlights. Take advantage of the special wrestling tournament organized at the Devraj Urs stadium, located beside the exhibition grounds. Wrestlers from all around the country take part in this competition. A Film Festival and a Food Festivals are also part of the Dasara celebrations in Mysore.
Organized at the Doddakere Maidan, opposite the Mysore Palace, the Dasara exhibition is the other highlight. It starts during Dasara and continues for around two months. This exhibition has stalls selling food, glassware, plasticware, and clothing. There are amusement rides and stalls for games. There are stalls by the state’s government, too.
Concluding the festivities
A vibrant Dasara procession, Jamboo Savari, marks the end of the Dasara celebrations. The magnificence and luxury of this event are famous all around the world. During this event, the beautiful idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is kept on the top of an elephant in a golden-colored howdah that is more than 750 kg.
Before independence, instead of the idol, the king himself used to sit on the howdah. A colorful montage is made primarily by the State organized for the procession. Musical bands and mounted guards in royal clothes belonging to the Karnataka Police make the procession musical.
Starting at the Mysore Palace, the procession ends at the Banni mantap where a Banni tree is worshiped. Bejeweled elephants, camels, and fold dancers are also a part of this colorful Dasara procession.
The distance between the starting and ending points of the festival is 2.5 km. In the end, a torch-light parade, or the Panjina Kavayatthu, is held at the Banni Mantap ground, located on Mysore’s outskirts. A special laser show has been added to this parade recently. Thrilling motorcycle stunts by the Indian Army and fireworks are also a part of this parade.
