Mysore, Oct. 22- For the first time in its history, ISKCON Mysore had organised ISKCON Dasara, grand Vijayadashami celebrations on Oct.17, commemorating the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.

On the auspicious day, the presiding deities Sri Krishna Balarama, were bedecked as "Sri Rama Lakshmana." Celebrations started in the evening by the devotees performing Sri Rama Dasha Sahasrarchana Puja — chanting holy names of Lord Ramachandra 10,000 times.

Minister for Forests C.H. Vijayashankar and MLC G. Madhusudan inaugurated ISKCON Dasara along with Madhu Pandit Dasa, President, ISKCON Bangalore & Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation.

Chanchalapathi Dasa, Vice-President, ISKCON Bangalore, Stoka Krishna Dasa, President, Hare Krishna Movement, Chennai, Chitranga Chaitanya Dasa, Programme Director, The Akshaya Patra Foundation and Jai Chaitanya Dasa, President, ISKCON Mysore, were present.

The idols of deities were taken on a procession on elephant within the temple premises. Artistes from Drishti Art Foundation, Bangalore, led by Anuradha Vikranth performed a dance based on some of the pastimes of Lord Rama in Ramayana. Followed by this, Yugadharma, a youth group from ISKCON, Bangalore, sang Sri Rama Bhajans.

About 40 ft. high effigies of Ravana & Kumbhakarana were burnt to mark the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore