Mysore Dasara is one of the most celebrated and pompous festival of India. The city of Mysore has a long tradition of celebrating the Dasara festival. Dasara (Dussehra) can be described as 10-day festival in South India, culminating on Vijayadashami or tenth day.
The Mysore Dasara is celebrated elaborately with great enthusiasm. During this period, the whole of Mysore undergoes serious changes and it is decorated beautifully with the streets lighted and the trees decorated. It attracts a huge audience both from all over India and all over the world.
Mysore Dasara in 2011 is going to be celebrated from September 28th to October 6th. All through Dasara, the brightly illuminated Mysore Palace and the entire city is a sight to behold. Various cultural and religious programs highlighting the dance, music and culture of the State of Karnataka are performed in front of the illuminated Palace. Dasara celebrations commence with a pooja performed to Goddess Chamundeshwari atop the Chamundi Hills with the presence of the Wodeyar royal couple, and state officials.
The Mysore palace is one of the most glorious and lauded pieces of architecture in India. During the Dasara, the palace is lighted (7pm to 9pm) with thousands of bulbs that amplify its majesty and beauty. The sight of the palace is in itself worth it to make a visit to Mysore.
Throughout the 10 days Dasara festival, Karnataka State Government arranges music, dance, and folk dance performances, flower and doll shows, wrestling and Food and Film festival. The Yuva (Youth) Dasara, which consists of musical concerts performed by youth icons, is also conducted during Dasara.
The Dasara exhibition starts during the Dasara and continues for around two months. It's held in the Doddakere Maidan opposite to the Mysore Palace. Dasara Exhibition is a mammoth fair that sells all kinds of stuff like clothes, plastic ware, gifts, food etc. It has many rides and games too. Local merchants and those from all over India come here to exhibit and sell their products. It is the perfect hangout spot for families or groups of friends to spend a day filled with excitement and fun. It is also a great opportunity to explore and understand better the culture and glory of Mysore. This year the exhibition is going to be a plastic-free zone and battery operated vehicles will be available for the elderly and the physically challenged.
The Procession starts from the palace after the royal couple worship the idol. The procession consists of dancers, music bands, decorated camels and horses etc. The "parade" ends in Bannimantap, where the banni tree (Prosopis spicigera) is worshiped. The Dasara festivities culminate on the night of Vijayadashmi with the torch light parade held in the Bannimantap grounds.
On tenth day of Dasara, a grand Procession (Jamboo Savari) starts from the palace after the royal couple worship the idol. The main attraction of the Dasara procession will be the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari which is carried in a Golden howdah weighing over 750 kgs on top of an elephant. The procession consists of dancers, musical bands belonging to State Police, Folk dancers, decorated elephants, horses and camels. colorful tableaux created by different State organisations too form an integral part of the procession.
The culminating program of the Dasara festivities is the Panjina Kavayatthu (torch-light parade) held on a grand note at the Bannimantap grounds in the outskirts of the city. Fire works put on show; daredevil stunts on top of motorcycles by a team of the Indian army and a Laser show are part of the program.
The Mysore Dasara is certainly worth the time, money and effort invested in it. So plan your trips to Mysore, India and witness the splendor and awe of Mysore Dasara and India.
