Mysuru Dasara Festival 2022 was celebrated from September 26 to October 5 this year. EBNW Story features its key facts…
- Mysuru Dasara is a 10-day festival that commences with Navratri and concludes during the Vijayadashami.
- It is usually observed on the 10th day of the Hindu calendar month of Ashvina, which usually falls on September and October.
- The festival is observed to celebrate the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari of Chamunda Hills (Durga) against Mahishasura (a buffalo-headed demon). The slaying of the Mahishasura gave the city the name Mysuru.
- Its origins can be traced back to 15th century during the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- It finds mention in Matla-us-Sadain wa Majma-ul-Bahrain (The Rise of the Two auspicious constellations and the Confluence of the Two Oceans) – a book written by a Persian ambassador Abdur Razzaq. This memoir covers the history of the region from 1304 to 1470.
- While the celebration of Mysuru Dasara was halted after the fall of the Empire, it was revived in the early 17th century Raja Wodeyar I in 1610.
- The festival commences with a Pooja privately performed in the presence of the royal family and the state officials in Goddess Chamundeshwari Temple on the Chamundi Hills, situated east of Mysuru.
- One of the main attraction of this festival is Jumboo Savari – the traditional Dasara procession held on the streets of Mysuru. In the procession, the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari will be kept on a golden mantapa atop a decorated elephant.
- During the festival, the Mysuru palace will be lit up throughout the 10 days with 100,000 light bulbs.
- Numerous religious and cultural activities of Karnataka are organized in the Mysuru Palace during the festival.
- The famous Mysuru Exhibition is held during the festival. It was started in 1880 by Maharaja of Mysore, Chamaraja Wodeyar X to showcase innovation and development to people in Mysuru. Now, this event is organized by the Karnataka Exhibition Authority.