Mysore Dasara – Royal Dussehra Festivities
I grew up in Punjab, where they celebrate Dussehra to mark the victory of good over evil. The effigies of Ravana, Meghanath, and Kumbhakarna are burnt as a symbol of Lord Rama’s triumph. A few years ago, I went to Kullu to experience Dussehra. Over there, they celebrate it as a get-together of gods from the region. Last year, during the lockdown, I witnessed Mysore Dasara celebrations.
Mysore’s traditional name is Mysuru, a truncation of two words – Mahishasura Uru, or the town of Mahishasura. While the core thought behind Mysore Dasara is good trouncing evil, there is no Lord Rama or Ravana. Instead, it is about Goddess Chamundeshwari killing the demon Mahishasura.
Mysore Dasara – A Royal Tradition
Raja Wodeyar I began the tradition of royal Dasara celebrations in 1610 CE. This year’s celebrations on the 5th of October will mark the 412th anniversary of Mysore Dasara. These celebrations revolve around a grand procession involving tableaux, folk performers, troops, horses, and elephants. They flag off the procession from the Mysore Palace and it culminates at Bannimantap – a distance of ~5 km. But last year, because of the COVID lockdown, while they maintained the traditional grandeur, the procession did not step outside the Mysore Palace precincts.
The preparations begin early. A month before Dasara, the royal palace hosts a few elephants from the nearby Nagarhole National Park. These pachyderms rehearse every day to get used to the route and crowds. After all, they are the protagonists of the famous Jumboo Savari in Mysore Dasara.
City Administration’s Role in Mysore Dasara Celebrations
In Karnataka, they celebrate Mysore Dasara as Nadahabba (State Festival). The local administration decorates and illuminates the entire city. Over 100,000 bulbs illuminate the palace alone. The 30 District Development Councils of Karnataka send their theme-based tableaux. Of these, they award the three best tableaux. Winning this award is a matter of pride for the districts.
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The local authorities organise Kavi Sammelan (Poetry Conference), sports meet, food festival, film festival, and more, for Dasara celebrations. Karnataka Exhibition Authority also organises a Dasara Exhibition in Doddakere Maidan.
Crown Jewel of Mysore Dasara – Jumboo Savari
The highlight of the procession is the Jumboo Savari or the elephants procession. The lead elephant carries a golden howdah (a seat with a canopy). 60 kg of gold covers this 700-kg wooden structure. Till 1971, the Mysore Ruler rode this howdah during the procession. But after the abolition of the Privy Purse in 1971, Goddess Chamundeshwari’s idol now rides in this howdah.
While the lockdown curtailed the procession last year, this year the procession will do its entire 5 km route. If you have not seen this spectacle, land up in Mysore a day earlier to enjoy the city-wide illumination, and experience this unique celebration first-hand.
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