Karnataka’s Famous Mysore Dasara Celebrations Are In Full Swing

By: Kauser Khan, Associate Editor-ICN Group

The main attraction of the ten-day Mysore Dasara festival is the Mysore Palace which is illuminated daily with nearly 100,000 light bulbs from 7 pm to 10 pm on all days of the festival.

Karnataka’s famous Mysore Dasara celebrations are in full swing. It is also called Jamboo Savari for its grand elephant procession taking place. Dasara festivities, which began with the Vijayanagar kings as early as the 15th century in Mysore City is all ready for the final day and this year it marks 408th edition.

Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the invincible Buffalo king Mahishasura. The occasion is also seen as the day when Lord Ram defeated Ravana, which marks triumph of good over evil.The biggest event for Mysuru Dasara is the procession that starts from the Amba Vilas palace and winds for 5 kilometres through the city.

The elephant procession is part of it, with 15 elephants being brought from their home in an elephant camp in the forests of Nagarahole to the city.The beautiful, decorated elephants are the main attraction with the ‘ambari’ elephant, Arjuna, carrying the golden howdah with the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari for the 6th year in a row.

The ninth day of Dasara called as Mahanavami is also an auspicious day on which the royal sword is worshipped and is taken on a procession involving elephants, camels and horses.The main attraction of the ten-day Mysore Dasara festival is the Mysore Palace which is illuminated daily with nearly 100,000 light bulbs from 7 pm to 10 pm on all days of the festival.

Various cultural and religious programs highlighting the dance, music and culture of the State of Karnataka are performed in front of the illuminated Palace.Another major attraction during Dasara is the Dasara exhibition which is held in the exhibition grounds opposite to the Mysore Palace.

The exhibition was started by the Maharaja of Mysore Chamaraja Wodeyar X in 1880 with the sole aim of introducing timely developments to the people of Mysore. There are also various cultural programs held at the Mysore Palace, Jaganmohan Palace, Kalamandir, Kuppanna Park, Ganabharati, and Nadabrahma.

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