Mysore Festival

¤ Mysore Dussehra
The Significance

Mysore Dussehra is one of the most important and renowned Dussehra festival of India.
In Mysore, Dasara is observed as State festival also known as 'Nadahabba', because of the special initiation taken by the Royal Family of Mysore in the festival celebrations.

It is a 10-day celebration and ends on Vijayadashami Dussehra Day. The day marks the successful conclusion of the preceding nine days. The first six days are celebrated in the honor of goddess Saraswathi. Eight day is dedicated to Durga and ninth day is for Lakshmi- the goddess of wealth. On tenth day a grand procession is held from Mysore Palace and terminates at Bannimantap.


¤ The Festival Commemoration in Mysore

During the festive season the entire city is decorated and lightened in a most impressive way, that attracts thousands of tourists to the city. The Palace and other important buildings are also embellished and illuminated - worth a sight.

Majestic processions, a torch light parade, dance and musical events vitalize the placid city. Many cultural programs are organized in the Mysore Palace, performed by famous artists. Sport events, poet's meet, food festival, film festival are also held. The famous Dasara exhibition is organized at Doddakere Maidana, by the Karnataka Exhibition Authority, where many public and private sector, State Government departments and other business class set up their stalls to promote their industries. Craft fairs, traditional wrestling matches are other highlights of the exhibition.


¤ The Royal Celebrations

The royal family of Mysore performs special pooja on the occasion of Dasara. The most favored site for the Mysore Dasara is Amba Vilas Palace, also known as the Diwan-e-Khas. The palace is decorated with remarkably designed inlay works of ivory, colored motifs and creatively drawn designs made from jasper, carbuncle and resin.

On the first day of Navratra, the king, after a ceremonial bath, worships the family deity in the palace and enters the hall with the echoes of sacred chants and music. He worships the navagrahas (nine sacred deities) and the sacred `kalasa'. Then he takes his seat on the throne at an auspicious moment after going around it three times. The palace lights are lit and a 21-gun salute is given as the royal emblem and swords are presented to king.

The king sits on the throne and receives guests. He accepts blessing by palace priests who chants Vedic hymns and sprinkling holy water. Blowing of conches and trumpets announces the beginning of a royal parade of uniformed soldiers and elephants.


¤ The Dussehra Procession

The most significant feature of the festival is the 'Dasara Procession' held on Vijayadashami or the tenth day. It is led by highly decorated elephants that carry idol of goddess Chamundeswari well seated on a golden throne placed on an elephant seat. Hundreds of decorated horses, folk dancers, courtiers, nobles, soldiers, and colorful visitors follow the procession.

The procession starts from the Maharaja's palace to the torch light parade ground gate and winds its way through the city in the backdrop of the Chamundi hills. The festive celebrations are concluded by a closing ceremony that includes - cultural programs from different states, gymnastic and horseback rider events, followed by a torch light tattoo and fireworks. Thousands of visitors throng the region during Dussehra Festival and witness the ceremonies and the celebrations.


¤ The Highlights of The Festival

Today, Dasara is marked by cultural events and musical performances performed by world-renowned musicians at the Amba Vilas Palace, the exhibition at Doddakere Maidan and the colorful Vijayadasami parade are the main attractions of Dasara. The festival has also gained importance as an advertisement of the cultural diversity and achievements of Karnataka. By patronizing the event, the government has attained a great success in exhibiting the rich heritage of the region thereby giving a boost to tourism and folk arts.