Articles » DASARA 2011
DASARA 2011
DASARA FESTIVAL
Mysore Dusshera is the Nada Habba of Karnataka. This festival falls in the month of September or October. It is called as Navarathri which is a nine day festival. The Hindu Goddess Chamundeshwari killed the demon Mahishasura and then the Mysore name has been derived. This city has a long tradition of celebrating Dasara festival attracting a large member including foreigners. This is the 401 year of celebration.
Vijayanagar Kings first started Dasara, after the downfall of the Viyayanagar Empire; the Wodeyars of Mysore continued the festival. The king started the festival with special Durbar which is known as royal assembly in durbar hall. The Durbar was attended by the members of the royal family, royal priests, Europeans, special guests, Palace Officials and others. This ceremony is repeated on all the nine days.
The nine days festival is celebrated with pride and joy. The whole Mysore will be decorated with colourful lights. The Saraswathi Puja (God of knowledge) is celebrated on the seventh day where in all the books will be kept and worshipped the Goddess Saraswathi to give us the knowledge. The day nine is Mahanavami which is also called as Ayudapuja, on this auspicious day the royal sword is worshipped. The traditional Dasara Procession will be held on the tenth day. The day is called as the Vijayadashami. The main attraction of this day is Jambu Savari i.e. The Idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari is placed on the 100 Kg golden Ambari and taken on a procession. The procession starts from the palace gate followed by the decorated elephants, horses, camels, tableaux created by different states, folk dances, musical bands by police and so on. The important streets are decorated with colourful lights. Lakhs of people stand on either side of the route of the procession.
Many cultural activities will be held during these nine days. Competition will be held in different fields like music, Kusti, Yoga, and Sports and also many instrumental concerts will be held in the palace hall. With related to the Yoga, many dignitaries are welcomed and one among it is to have Sri B.K.S.Iyengar who is a legend in the Yoga World to have with us. He will be giving an introductory speech on Yoga and will also share few of his experiences and achievements in the field. The legend will be inaugurating the Yoga Dasara on 2nd of October at 6:30 am , venue: Palace Grounds, Opp to Mysore Kote Anjaneya swamy temple and is followed by a speech on Yoga in daily life "FOR POSITIVE HEALTH" - A Science of body, breath, mind, consciousness and soul which will be held at Senate Hall, Manasagangothri, Mysore at 10am.
The other major attraction is the Dasara Exhibition which is held opposite to Mysore Palace. Various stall like clothes, plastic items; kitchenware, cosmetics and eatables are set up and attract many people. A play area is specially meant for children to enjoy playing in the merry go round, giant wheel, Columbus and toy train etc. There is a flower show at the Curzon Park. This includes the contests in different fields like Ikebana, Vegetable carving, Rangoli flower decoration. A plant arrangement contest for private, Industrial and Government gardens will be organized by the horticultural department. Many cultural programmes will be presented every evening to add more colour to the show.
The ten day festival will be concluded with the torch light parade and fireworks which will be held in the open ground on the out skirts of Mysore.