Mysore Dasara: All You Need To Know About The History And Significance Of The Festival In Karnataka
The city of Mysuru, which was previously called Mysore is all decked up for the biggest annual festival in Karnataka. The Mysore Dasara is a 10-day festival in Karnataka which is celebrated along with Navaratri and commemorates the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari over Mahishasura.
What is Mysore Dasara?
In Karnataka, Dussehra is observed as a State festival - Nadahabba, the celebration of the festival is steered by the erstwhile Royal Family of Mysore.
The 10-day festivities concluded with the 'Jamboo Savari' procession which marks the culmination of the Mysuru Dasara on the day of Vijayadashami.?
What is the role of Wodeyar family
Mysuru is the cultural capital of Karnataka and the seat of the Wodeyars, the erstwhile Royal Family of Mysore.
Even to this day, the Wodeyar family, whose rule dates back to 1399 when Adi Yaduraya Wodeyar or Raja Vijaya Raj Wodeyar, the Mysore Kingdom, is intertwined with the Mysuru Dasara.
The royal family of Mysore performs a special pooja on the occasion of Dasara.?
How Mysore Dasara started
This Mysore Dasara festival started in 1610 when Raja Wadiya started this celebration for ten long days.
During Dussehra, the entire City, including the Mysore Palace and other important buildings is illuminated.
The illuminated Mysore Palace during the Dussehra celebrations draws tourists from all over the world.?
Why elephants are integral to Mysore Dussehra
Like other south Indian states, elephants are an integral part of the Dussehra procession in Mysuru.
There are a total of three grand processions during Mysore Dasara, one on Maha Navami day and two on Vijayadashami.
12 Dasara jumbos will march on the procession route from Mysore Palace to Bannimantap twice a day.
The first one is the traditional one known as Jumboo Savari and the second and last parade, Torchlight Parade, is held in the evening on the day of Vijayadashami. This procession is also known as Panjina Kavavitha and it marks the end of this festival with grand celebration.
The lead elephant carries the Golden Howdah called Chinnada Ambari, weighing 750 Kilograms, with the Goddess Chamundeshwari in it.?
How Navaratri is celebrated differently across India
Navaratri is celebrated with great fanfare across the nation, distinct traditions are practiced in different states.
The festival of Navratri honours the defeat of the demonic Mahishasura and the triumph of good over evil. The 10th day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.
The 9-day-long festival of Shardiya Navratri is intended for worshipping Maa Durga and her nine avatars, known as Navdurga. Navratri means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit. Hindus observe a total of four Navratris throughout the year.
From Ashwin Shukla Paksha's Navami until the Pratipada, Shardiya Navratri is observed.
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