A Story depicting the Glory of DASARA

Mysore, "the cultural city of Karnataka" is wearing a festive look to host DASARA - the Nada Habba with pomp and pageantry. The festivities have a long history, tradition and legend. Dasara festival began in Mysore on Tuesday on a high note, with the Wadiyar royal couple joining thousands of people to herald the 10-day celebrations by invoking the blessings of goddess Chamundeshwari.
The festival has its origins in Hindu mythology with the legendary Pandava kings in the great epic 'Mahabharata' celebrating the festival as the 'triumph of good over evil'. But in Mysore, it has evolved into a cultural spectacle, a confluence of art, dance and drama. The grandeur of the former princely state of Mysore can be witnessed in its true sense. Dasara is a 10-day festival in the region culminating on Vijayadashami or tenth day. The day marks the successful conclusion of the preceding nine days.
Vijayadashami is also a day of victory of the King and his subjects, be it in a battle or day-to-day governance. The preceding nine days of Navarathri have celebrations starting only after six days. The sixth day is in honour of goddess Saraswathi. Eighth day is dedicated to Durga and Ninth day is for Lakshmi, goddess of wealth. On tenth day a grand spectacular Procession is held which starts from Mysore Palace and ends in Bannimantap.

Dasara is a festival which indicates our proud culture. In Karnataka, Dasara is observed as State festival - Nadahabba, because the celebration of the festival is steered by the Royal Family of Mysore. The royal family of Mysore performs special pooja on the occasion of Dasara. During Dasara, the entire City is gaily decorated and illuminated. The Palace and other important buildings are illuminated.

Cultural programmes by famous artists are arranged in the Palace along with Sports, Wrestling, Poet's meet, Food Festival, Film Festival witnessed by a large number of people. Dasara Exhibition is arranged in the Doddakere Maidana, by the Karnataka Exhibition Authority, where the public and private sector industries, leading business establishments, State Government departments put up their stalls to promote industrial and corporate business for months.

Though the festivities are in practice since thousands of years ago, the historically authenticated information is available only from the period of Vijayanagar dynasty which was in rule from 14th to 16th century AD. The festivities will conclude in 'Jamboo Savari' and Torch Light Parade on the day of Vijayadashami. After the independence and the abolition of the erstwhile princely states, the Government of Karnataka has been celebrating Dasara as a State festival (Nada Habba), attracting lakhs of tourists. The 97,000 electric bulbs that illuminate the majestic palacessss also lights up the lives of those who witness it.

Dasara is the time for traditional Gombe habba. The tradition is to arrange dolls for display for the 10 days and invite friends and neighbours home, share goodies and spread goodwill. and one of the rituals among kannadigas is to perform pooja to the Banni sampling and distribute its twigs on Vijayadashami day to build goodwill.

This time dasara is also a rocking time for youngsters. On October 6th "Yuva Dasara" was inaugurated, which is the latest addition to dasara festivities. Cine stars, TV artistes, playback singers, musicians and dancers, troupes from abroad besides Indian cultural troupes are performing in Yuva Dasara.

And for the first time even "Food Mela" is introduced which is gaining very good response from visitors. Starting from famed Bengali sweets to select items from North Karnataka and Kodava dishes, the mela is must for those who relish food.

Click Here for the various dasara events.