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About Mysuru Dasara

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About Mysuru Dasara

Mysuru Dasara is the state festival, the Nada Habba, of Karnataka. It runs for the ten days of Navaratri and ends on Vijayadashami, in September or October.

It celebrates the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari, who sits on Chamundi Hill above Mysuru, over the demon Mahishasura. The Mysuru Palace is lit with nearly a hundred thousand bulbs every evening, and on Vijayadashami a grand procession, the Jamboo Savari, carries the Goddess's golden howdah through the city.

At home, families arrange dolls on steps for Bombe Habba, keep Saraswati Pooja and Ayudha Pooja, and share sweets like Mysore pak. The festival draws visitors from all over the world.

  • Ten days, Navaratri
  • Mysuru, Karnataka
  • Jamboo Savari procession
  • Palace lit with lights

Where it began

Dasara marks the victory of good over evil. Legend says goddess Chamundeshwari killed the demon Mahishasura on the hill above the city, and the name Mysuru is said to come from Mahishasura.

The Vijayanagara kings held grand Navaratri festivals in Hampi, described by visitors from abroad in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The Wodeyar kings of Mysore carried the tradition forward from 1610, when Raja Wodeyar is said to have begun the celebrations at Srirangapatna.

The palace gate lit up for DasaraMysuru, Karnataka

How it grew over time

  1. Vijayanagara times

    Grand Mahanavami festivals with parades, music and elephants are held in Hampi.

  2. 1610

    Raja Wodeyar is said to have started the Dasara celebrations of the Mysore kingdom.

  3. Wodeyar rule

    The kings held a private durbar and led the procession through the city.

  4. After 1947

    The state of Karnataka took up the festival as its state festival.

  5. Today

    The golden howdah carries the goddess, and the royal family still keeps the palace rites.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Mysuru Palace

    The palace is lit every evening, and the Jamboo Savari starts from here.

  • Chamundi Hills

    The festival opens with worship at the Chamundeshwari temple on the hill.

  • Bannimantap

    The torchlight parade closes the festival on the night of Vijayadashami.

  • Across Karnataka

    Towns hold Dasara fairs, dolls displays and cultural programmes.

Mysuru Dasara moments

The Mysore Palace, home of the Dasara festivitiesMysuru, Karnataka
The Kalyana Mantapa hall inside the palaceMysuru, Karnataka
The Chamundeshwari temple on Chamundi HillsMysuru, Karnataka
Inside the Amba Vilas palaceMysuru, Karnataka

Mysuru Dasara today

Visitors come from around the world for the lit palace, the wrestling, the food fair, flower shows and music concerts. The elephant procession, with tableaux and folk dancers, is the highlight on the last day.

How people celebrate Mysuru Dasara

  • The lit Mysuru Palace
  • The Jamboo Savari procession
  • Bombe Habba doll displays
  • Ayudha Pooja and Saraswati Pooja
  • Mysore pak and festive meals

How to wish well

  • Wishes are sent through the ten days and most of all on Vijayadashami.
  • "Nada Habba Dasara Shubhashayagalu" is a warm Kannada greeting.
  • Lights, the palace, the Goddess's victory and fresh starts make good themes.

Questions about Mysuru Dasara

When is Mysuru Dasara 2027?

Mysuru Dasara runs through Navaratri and ends on Vijayadashami. In 2027 Vijayadashami is expected on 9 October; see the date shown on this page.

Why is Mysuru Dasara famous?

For the lit Mysuru Palace, the Jamboo Savari procession on Vijayadashami and its long royal tradition going back to the Vijayanagara empire.

What is the Jamboo Savari?

The grand procession on Vijayadashami in which the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is carried on a golden howdah through Mysuru.

What is Bombe Habba?

The custom of arranging dolls on stepped shelves at home during Navaratri, also called Golu in Tamil Nadu.

What do you say on Mysuru Dasara?

"Happy Dasara" or, in Kannada, "ನಾಡಹಬ್ಬ ದಸರಾ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು".

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