Mysore Dasara | Navaratri celebrations in Karnataka
In Karnataka Navaratri is celebrated as Dasara. It is the most important festival celebrated in the state. Actually, Dasara is the state festival of Karnataka. It is a 10-day festival. In 2016, Dasara will be celebrated from October 2 to October 11.
Mysore Dasara festivities begin with a special puja offered to Goddess Chamundeshwari at this temple.
Dasara or Vijayadashami is the 10th and the most auspicious day of the festival. According to legends, it was on this day Goddess Chamundeshwari (also known as Durga or Kali in Bengal and several other parts of India) killed the buffalo headed demon Mahishasur. The battle between the two took place on a hill near Mysore which later came to be known as Chamundi Hill. The temple atop this hill is very famous. Read about famous Navaratri legends here.
Mysore, the erstwhile capital of Karnataka, has a long tradition of celebrating Dasara with great pomp and grandeur. Even today, Mysore Dasara continues to be a high profile event attracting tens of thousands of people including foreign tourists. In year 2010, Mysore celebrated 400th anniversary of celebrating Dasara.
The illuminated Mysore Palace looks resplendent against the backdrop of a dark sky.
Mysore Palace is the epicenter of Dasara celebrations in Mysore. State-sponsored Dasara or Navratri celebrations in Mysore started during the reign of Vijayanagar kings in the 15th century. After the collapse of the Vijayanagar Empire, Mysore’s Dasara tradition was continued by the Wodeyars. The Mysore Palace which was formerly the residence of the Wodeyars is illuminated on all ten days of Dasara. Before the celebrations begin, the royal couple offers a special puja to Goddess Chamundeshwari at the temple atop Chamundi Hills. After this ritual, the festivities begin officially. As part of the celebrations, the Mysore King holds a special durbar or royal assembly in the palace. Members of the royal family, officials, special invitees and civilians are all invited to this assembly. To mark the occasion of Dasara, the royal sword is placed on the golden throne. On the ninth day of the festival (Mahanavami, October 10, 2016), the sword is worshipped. It is then taken out on a procession that includes elephants, horses and camels.
Read about Navaratri celebrations in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Bengal here.
Mysore Palace
The main attraction of the Mysore Dasara celebration is the Palace illuminated with over 100,000 light bulbs. Various cultural programs like dance and music are organized in front of the illuminated palace from 7 pm to 10 pm on all days of Dasara / Navaratri.
The Royal Dasara Procession
The Royal Procession is the highlight of the Dasara celebrations in Karnataka.
The royal Dasara procession called Jumboo Savari is organized on the 10th day of the festival (Vijayadashami, October 11, 2016). The chief attraction of this procession is the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari. The idol placed in a golden mandapa (a small temple like structure) is carried around the town atop a decorated elephant. The mandapa is made of pure gold and weighs about 750 kilogram. Before the procession starts, the idol is worshipped by the royal couple and other distinguished guests. The procession which starts from the Mysore Palace includes festooned elephants, camels, horses, music bands and dancers. Tableaux are another attraction. The procession comes to a halt at a place called Bannimantap to worship the Banni tree there.
The story of Pandavas
According to a popular story in Mahabharata, the Pandavas hid their weapons in a hole in the trunk of a huge Banni (Shami) tree during their Anjatavasa (living life incognito). They spent a year in the palace of King Virata under fake names and identities. At the end of this one year period they waged a war against the army of Duryodhana who had come to steal the cows of Virata. They won the battle and their real identity was revealed. Legend has it that they worshipped Goddess Durga for nine days and nights before starting the war and won it on the 10th day (Vijayadashami). Before engaging in warfare, the Kings of Mysore used to worship this tree. The Dasara celebrations culminate on the 10th night with the torch-light parade organized at Bannimantap Parade Grounds.
Dasara Exhibition
The Dasara Exhibition organized at the exhibition grounds opposite Mysore Palace is another attraction. This exhibition is organized by Karnataka Exhibition Authority. It starts during Dasara and continues until December. There are a number of stalls selling a variety of items like clothes, eatables, kitchenware etc. There is also a play area. Government agencies set up stalls to showcase the projects they have undertaken. In addition to this exhibition, dance and music programs are organized in auditoriums around Mysore during all the ten days of Dasara. Musicians and singers from all over India participate in these programs.