Mysuru Dasara

If you want to experience a slice of the grandeur of the culture of the royal city of Mysuru, visiting the city during the famous Mysuru Dasara celebrations is a must. An annual festival that is spread over 10 days, brings alive the vibrant culture of the city and bathes it in a halo of effervescent beauty. Dasara is a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated all over India. However, the magic of the Mysuru Dasara is on an altogether different level. Mysuru is the place to be during the Dasara festival. Mysuru Dasara celebrations go back many centuries in time and it is believed was started during the time of the Vijayanagara empire. The grandeur of the Dasara celebrations was further enhanced by the Wodeyar dynasty which ruled the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore for over 5 centuries. What makes the Mysuru Dasara even more special is the mythological connection of the city to Mahishasura, the demon who was vanquished by Goddess Durga. The etymology of the word Mysuru which was later anglicized to Mysore links it to the legend of Mahishasura. According to the legend, the city that we now know as Mysuru was ruled by the Buffalo-demon named Mahishasura, who was a tyrannical and oppressive ruler. He also waged constant war against the Devas (Gods). The Devas then combined all their energies and out of this synergy was born Goddess Durga. The Goddess waged a ferocious battle with the demon Mahishasura and after a fierce fight that spanned 9 nights (Navratri), Mahishasura was slain by her on the 10th day, which since then came to be celebrated as Vijayadashmi. The place where this battle between the Goddess and the demon took place is believed to have been the famous Chamundi Hills of Mysuru, and it is believed that the Goddess stayed on, in the hill as Chamundi Devi. A temple dedicated to the Goddess stands atop the hill on the outskirts of the city of Mysuru. Interestingly a statue of a fierce-looking Mahishasura, holding a naked sword in one hand and a snake in the other, is located near the Chamundi Devi temple on the Chamundi Hills. The celebration of Dasara in Mysuru is now organised by the Karnataka State Government in conjunction with the royal family of Mysore. The festival is termed Nadahabba or State festival. The entire city is decked up and gaily decorated throughout the 10-day long festivities. The famed Mysore Palace is illuminated with 100,000 bulbs and glitters like a jewel, spreading its radiance far and wide. The palace becomes the cynosure of all eyes during the Dasara Festival. The Mysuru Dasara with its kaleidoscopic experiences is an event that is a complete sensory experience that can only be had in the royal city of Mysuru, Karnataka.