Dasara 2017: Why you should visit Mysuru this Dussehra!

Vijaya Dashami or Vijaya Dasami is one of the most significant festivals celebrated across India. But Mysuru Dasara is an event one can certainly not afford to miss in a lifetime.

The world famous Mysuru Dasara celebrations are currently underway in the Heritage city of Karnataka, Mysuru and the main attraction of the event which is the Jamboo Savari procession will take place on the auspicious day of Vijaya Dashami on September 30.

Even the Ayudha Pooja celebrations by the royal family of Mysuru (the Wadiyars), performed to the royal arms is something to watch out for. With huge crowds set to throng Mysuru to witness the Dasara processions, it makes sense for people those who have not got an opportunity to visit Mysuru and those abroad to watch the processions online.

Here is all you need to know about Mysore Dasara 2017 celebrations

Dasara 2017 will get going from September 21 to 30 in the cultural city and this year's celebration is likely to remain traditional yet simple.

Renowned poet and Kannada writer K.S. Nisar Ahmed of Nityothsava fame will inaugurate this year's Dasara celebrations atop Chamundi Hills on September 21.

As part of the celebrations renowned musicians of Karnataka and from outside perform in front of the illuminated Palace. The Palace is open to the public and the royal throne is displayed.

Flower show

To encourage the art of gardening, a flower show on a grand scale is held by horticulture department during Dasara at Curzon Park adjancent to Mysuru Palace.

Aahara Mela: A variety of tribal dishes, including bamboo biryani, from different parts of the State are expected to delight the connoisseurs of food at the Dasara Ahara Mela-2017. The mela will be held from September 21 to September 28 at the Scouts and Guides grounds.

Apart from the tribal dishes, the mela will serve several delicacies from places like Vijayapura, Davangere, and Belagavi.

Yuva Sambrama: The seven-day talent extravaganza is being organised as a precursor to the much-awaited Yuva Dasara and all local talents from various colleges will showcause their talent.

Wrestling

One thing that has caught the fancy of people of late is the Dasara Wrestling competition. Started by Wodeyars during their reign of Mysore, it is one of the biggest championships of Indian-style wrestling ("Nada Kushti") in the country, it attracts wrestlers from the entire State. Wrestlers from other States also come here to participate. Every year it evokes tremendous response from spectators to watch muscle-flexing wrestlers from across the State fight for supremacy in traditional bouts.

Dasara Exhibition

Another major attraction is the Dasara exhibition which is held in the exhibition grounds opposite to the Mysore Palace. This exhibition starts during Dasara and goes on till December.

Yuva Dasara

Maharaja College will once again rebravate to the beats of young and talented musicians across the countryas the Yuva Dasara will well-known singers. singer Palak Muchhal of ‘Dil Se Dil Tak' fame who raises funds for the medical treatment of poor children. Nakash Aziz, playback singer from Mangaluru, and Neeti Mohan are the other singers from Bollywood scheduled to perform.

Music director and singer Arjun Janya will hold a concert on September 25. This will be a completely sponsored event. Music concerts by ‘Coke Studio' and ‘Red Bull Tour Bus' will be held on September 24 and 27, respectively.

Tableaux depicting various culture

Colorful tableaux created by different Government departments participate in the procession. The procession begins at the Mysore Palace and ends at the Banni Mantapa grounds, traveling a distance of about 2.5 miles.

The fest culminates with a victory procession of caparisoned elephants, camels, horses and tableaux from the royal palace to the Bannimantapa grounds in the city for a torch-light parade.

Jumboo Savari

The high point of the Dasara celebrations is the Vijayadashami procession held on the tenth day. This year Vijaydashami ''Jumboo Savari'' or elephant parade will be held on September 30. The main attraction is a caparisoned Ambari Elephant that carry the principal deity of the Mysore City Sri Chamundeswari in a Golden howdah weighing over 750 kgs in a colourful procession.

The procession led by six elephants goes winding through the gaily-decorated streets of the city. An elephant led chariot, royal horse, cow and elephant, camels, horsemen; Musical bands belonging to State Police, Folk dancers form a part of the procession.

It is a must watch event not only because of its grandeur and royalty but also to appreciate the efforts of the people of Mysore for preserving tradition in its purest form.

Torch light parade

The culminating program of the Dasara festivities is the Panjina Kavayatthu or a torch light parade that takes place in the evening followed by a massive firework display and much jubilation on the streets. As last year, the daredevil stunts on motorcycles by a team of the Indian army and a Laser show will be part of the program.

Besides the royal palace, heritage buildings, temples and parks are also illuminated for the mega event.

The 10-day festival also witnesses sveral dedicated events like Makkala Dasara, Raitha Dasara, Kreeda Dasara, Mahila Dasara and other.

Those who love witnessing Indian culture and sub-culture in a different form altogether must visit Mysuru this Dasara.

OneIndia News