Dasara, also known as Navarathri, is also the Nada Habba - the state festival. During Dasara, Goddess Chamundeshwari is worshipped in different names and avatars on all the ten days in Karnataka.
Known as Dushera in Kolkota and various other places of North India, goddess Durga, another form of Chamundeshwari, is worshipped with utmost devotion, pomp and gaiety across the country.
In the Mysore tradition, the 10 days during Dasara is said to be very auspicious as Goddess Chamundeshwari is considered to be holding the Durbar, which, in earlier times, was carried out by the Maharaja.
Dasara is being celebrated every year since the times of the Wodeyars (the Royal family of Mysore). The festivities attract lakhs of tourists and visitors to Mysore from all over the world even today.
This year, the Dasara celebrations will begin from September 19, the first day of the Ashwija month. With each day having its own significance marking the worship of the Goddess in various forms, the festivities will culminate with Vijayadashami on the tenth day. According to legend, demon Mahishasura was slain by goddess Chamundeshwari on this day. Therefore 'Vijaydashami' is celebrated symbolically as the victory of good over evil.
The famous Jumbo Savari, where Goddess Chamundi is carried in the Golden Howdah atop an elephant, is the main highlight of Dasara celebrations.
During the times of Wodeyars, on the concluding day of the Dasara festivities, the Maharaja would be seated in the golden Howdah and would go on a procession to Bannimantap from the Mysore Palace. Nearly a dozen elephants participate in the Dasara procession. Today, Goddess Chamundeshwari is placed in the Howdah and taken on a procession.
After the times of Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, the last Wodeyar to be seated in the Golden Howdah, Dasara celebration and the religious rituals associated with it has become a private affair of the royal family with the scion of the royal family, Srikanatadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar taking part in the ceremonies. Only a select few get to personally view the in-house rituals of the palace including the pooja offered to the Golden Throne as per tradition. However, today, people all over can get a glimpse of it thanks to the electronic media.
According to old Mysoreans, who have witnessed the tradition of Dasara celebrations during the times of the Wodeyars, the annual religious festivities have undergone remarkable changes in the modern times. Today, Dasara is more significant as a socio-cultural festival which bridges the cultural divide and also provides a perfect platform for artistes of all art forms. A number of activities are held during the 10-day Dasara celebration in Mysore. Dasara is also celebrated with all the grandeur in the entire Karnataka and the Goddess is worshipped with utmost devotion.
Going by its rich tradition for many decades, the entire city of Mysore drowns in a festive mood. The rich illumination of the Mysore Palace is a treat to one’s eyes during the Dasara festivities.
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