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The name of the historic city Mysuru by itself takes one down to memory lane bringing in fond and rejoicing memories to the fore. The worldwide famous Mysuru Dasara perhaps tops all of them. Dasara is back again and the countdown for the same has already set in.
Mysuru Dasara, as most of you, are well aware of is the 10 days' state festival of Karnataka state. The festivities in this connection commence with the beginning of Navratri(Nine days) culminating on the 10th day Vijayadashami.
Dasara is also the commemoration of triumph of good over the evil forces. According to local legends, it was the day on which Goddess Chamundeshwari(Durga) killed the buffalo headed demon Mahishasura. The name to the historic and cultural city Mysuru is also said to be derived from the demon's name Mahishasura.The credit for observing the religious festival into a state ritual goes to the credit of Wadiyars of the royal Mysuru dynasty which was founded by Yaduraya during 1399. Since then the Mysuru kingdom has seen the regime of 25 kings.
Mysuru kingdom had remained a tiny feudatory territory of the Vijayanagar empire until its fall in 1565. However, the Mysuru rulers inherited and perpetuated the traditions of Vijayanagar empire.
Raja Wadiyar ascended the throne in 1610 in Srirangapatna, the erstwhile capital and launched the Dasara celebrations which till date are observed with all the pomp and religious fervour.It was just a beginning as many more stalwarts have left their footprints for the overall development and cultural heritage of the dynasty to be remembered.
Ranadheera Kanteerava Narasaraja Wadiyar(1638-1659), Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar(1673-1704), Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar iii(1799-1868), Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar iv(1902-1940) and Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar from 1940 till the establishment of Republic of India, are some of the noted kings who contributed immensely to the cultural glory of the South Indian kingdom.
The Wodeyars contribution for the promotion of education, arts and culture continues to be remembered even to this day. Their foresight in setting up of palace temples, Mysuru school of traditional painting, music, Sanskrit college, Women's schools and colleges, providing reservations to the depressed classes have no parallel in the country's history.
Thanks to the visionary zeal of Sir Mirza Ismail and Sir M Visvesvaraya, who served as Dewans of the kingdom, Mysuru was far ahead in the fields of manufacturing paper, soaps, electric bulbs, silk, steel, hydro-electricity and a host of many other products.Jamboo Savari, the traditional Dasara procession on the Vijayadashami day is the highlight and sought after event of the Dasara festivities.
The idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is placed in a golden howdah on a colourfully decorated elephant. Along with other richly decorated elephants the Dasara procession goes around the main streets, accompanied by picturesque tableaux from all the 30 districts, dance groups, music bands, armed forces, folklores and much more spectacular things which turn out to be a feast to the onlookers.
-Manohar Yadavatti
SL Bhyrappa to Inaugurate
Renowned literateur, philosopher S.L Bhyrappa has been invited as a Chief Guest to inaugurate the state festival.V Somanna, Housing Minister and Mysuru district incharge minister has been actively involved in the coordination of several committees for the smooth conduct of the annual festival with active cooperation from the district administration and many other departments.
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