Srirangapattana Dasara

Mysuru Dasara was originally started in Srirangapatna in 1610 by Raja Wadiyar. It shifted to Mysuru only in 1799, when the capital was shifted back to Mysuru, after the fall of Tipu Sultan. The historical, annual Srirangapatna Dasara was celebrated in a grand manner, complete with the procession of folk troupes and Jamboo Savari in the town. The procession passes through Kiranguru, Baburayanakoppalu, and Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, Kuvempu Circle, Bypass Road opposite Jamia Masjid, Rajabeedhi, Ambedkar Circle, and Mini Vidhana Soudha and reached Ranganathaswamy temple. Srirangapatna Dasara festival showcases the rich Heritage, culture, Tradition of old Mysuru Region.History says that Dasara celebrations in Karnataka actually began in a tiny town called Srirangapatna under King Raja Wodeyars rule in 1610 Srirangapatna was then the capital of the Wodeyar dynasty and it remained so for the next century However in the late 17th century Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar shifted the capital to Mysuru and with that the grand Dasara celebrations moved there too However the villagers continued to have lowkey celebrations during the nineday festival But in 2009 owing to huge demand from the villagers a threeday Dasara celebration including Jamboo Savari was held in the town.Srirangapatnams first Wodeyar Dasara was held from a Banyan tree at Puragiri on the outskirts of Srirangapatna to the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangapatna in all pomp and glory The Goddess Chamundeshwari idol was atop a decorated elephant The festival was not held for 10 days Raja WodeyarI wanted to call off these festivities as he had lost his son The celebrations were held but they were sombre This was the first Dasara held close to Mysuru in 1610 Though the procession was just 2 miles it marked the beginning of the Mysuru Dasara The Wodeyars were confined to Srirangapatna till 1799 until Tipu Sultan was killed in the 4th AngloMysore war From 1761 to 1799 they were under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan Dasara festivities were allowed during this period under the strict supervision of Tipu Under his watchful eye it was seen that they never became popular with the public After Tipus death the Wodeyar were installed as a puppet monarchy under the British rule from 1799 to 1831 and then they moved to Mysuru They built a palace of wood during this period and Dasara celebrations became a huge affair From 1831 to 1881 they ruled from Mysuru as a titular monarchy under the British They were an absolute monarch between 1881 to 1947 ruling from Mysuru but under the British rule The old wooden palace which was ravaged by fire was rebuilt and the structure stands strong to this day