MYSORE DUSSEHRA

Celebrated In : Mysore, karnataka To Celebrate : The Victory of good over evil Duration : 10 days In the month of : September - October

The Dussehra of Mysore or Mysore Dassara as it is famously called is a 10-day long festival. On the day of Dussehra, a procession of caparisoned elephants carrying the idol of goddess Chamundi is taken through the city.

While most parts of India celebrate Dussehra in commemoration of Lord Rama's victory over the demon-king Ravana, Karnataka celebrates it in honour of Goddess Chamundeswari who killed the great demon, Mahishasura.

The festival is celebrated in a grand style with scores of cultural performances in the great Durbar Hall of the Maharaja's Palace.

The Main Highlight Caparisoned elephants marching together in a procession are a unique feature of the Mysore Dassara. The festival is celebrated with a lot of pomp and show. On Vijaydashami, the 10th day of the festival, a colourful procession featuring caparisoned elephants winding through the gaily-decorated streets of the city, mark the occasion.

The procession of mounted guardsmen on horse back and decorated elephants, one carrying the palace deity, Chamundeshwari, on a gold 'howdah' marches from the palace to the Banni Mantap.

There is also a floating festival in the temple tank at the foot of Chamundi Hill and a procession of chariots around the temple at the top. A torch light parade takes place in the evening followed by a massive firework display and much jubilation on the streets.