Dasara

Dasara, also known as Dussehra and Vijayadashami in North India, is a festival celebrated on the 10th day of Ashvin month according to the Hindu calendar. Dasara usually falls in the month of September or October.The word Dasara is derived from the Sanskrit Dasha-hara which means "remover of bad fate". It is a 10-day festival with the last day being Vijayadashami. On this day, the entire city is decorated with flowers, diyas and bulbs. Effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran are burnt. People exchange sweets and gifts on this day. As per one legend, supreme Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura, a buffalo demon, during Navaratri. Mahishasura was killed after a continuous fight between goddess Durga and the dreaded demon for nine days and nights. Hence Dasara is celebrated in memory of this great incident. It marks the victory of Mahishasuramardini, and the defeat of evil.Another story from the great epic Mahabharata also refers to the celebration of Dasara. As per the legend, the Pandavas kept their arms and armor in a large hole of a Shami tree before embarking on Agnyatawasa, an exile in disguise. During Agnyatawasa they were living in the kingdom of Virata. On suspicion, the Kauravas had stolen the cattle of Virata to trap the Pandavas. It is believed on this day the Pandavas appeared with their weapons and defeated the Kauravas. On the day of Dasara, the Pandavas revealed their true identity after living for a year incognito. This marked their preparation for the victorious war of Kurukshetra.Dasara is also famous for the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Rama along with his brother Lakshmana, his devotee Hanuman and an army of monkeys fought a great battle for ten days to rescue Sita. On the day of Dasara or Vijayadashami Rama killed Ravana, the king of Lanka. It is said that Lord Rama had performed a ‘Chandi Sacrifice’ to invoke the Supreme Goddess Durga during Navaratri. It was only because of Maa Durga’s blessings that Rama could defeat Ravana. It is simultaneously believed that after the victory, before proceeding to Ayodhya, Lord Rama worshipped a Shami tree.On this day, the entire city is decorated with flowers, diyas and bulbs. This city is famous for a gala procession of richly bedecked elephants on the brightly lit streets of the city on Dussehra. In Mysore, effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran are burnt. The Mysore palace is illuminated for a whole month during the festive season of Dussehra. Caparisoned elephants lead a colourful procession through the vibrantly decorated streets of the princely city. The ninth day of Dasara called as Mahanavami is also an auspicious day on which the royal sword of Mysore is worshipped and is taken on a procession involving elephants, camels and horses. The main attraction of the ten-day Mysore Dasara festival is the Mysore Palace which is illuminated daily with nearly 100,000 light bulbs from 7 pm to 10 pm on all days of the festival. Various cultural and religious programs highlighting the dance, music and culture of the State of Karnataka are performed in front of the illuminated Palace. One of the main attractions of the festival is the Dasara exhibition which starts during the Dasara and continues for around two months. It is held at the Doddakere Maidan opposite to the Mysore Palace, and contains stalls selling articles like clothing, plastic and glass ware, food stalls, stalls highlighting the various departments of Government of Karnataka, and also a play area where people can participate in games and amusement rides.

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Dasara

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