FESTIVITIES
Festivities were first started by the Wodeyar
King, Raja Wodeyar I (1578-1617 CE) in the year 1610. The Mysore Palace is lit
up on all the 10 days of Dasara. It was during the reign of Krishnaraja
Wodeyar III in the year 1805, when the king started the tradition of having a
special durbar in the Mysore Palace during Dasara, which was attended by
members of the royal family, special invitees, officials and the masses.
PROCESSION
On Vijayadashami, the traditional Dasara
procession (locally known as Jamboo Savari) is held on the streets of Mysore
city. The main attraction of this procession is the idol of the Goddess
Chamundeshwari which is placed in a golden howdah on the top of a decorated
elephant. This idol is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees before
it is taken around in the procession. Colourful tableaux, dance groups, music
bands, armed forces, folklores, the royal identities, decorated elephants,
horses and camels form a part of the procession which starts from the Mysore
Palace and culminates at a place called Bannimantap, where the Banni tree
(Prosopis spicigera) is worshipped. According to a legend of the Mahabharata,
Banni tree was used by the Pandavas to hide their arms during their one-year
period of Agnatavasa (living life incognito). Before undertaking any warfare,
the kings traditionally worshipped this tree to help them emerge victorious in
the war. The Dasara festivities would culminate on the night of Vijayadashami
with an event held in the grounds at Bannimantap called as Panjina Kavayithu
(torch-light parade).
EXHIBITION
Another major attraction during Dasara 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.
Various stalls which sell items like clothes, plastic items, kitchenware,
cosmetics and eatables are set up and they attract a significant amount of
people. A Game area containing attractions like Ferris-wheel is also present to
provide entertainment to the people. Various Governmental agencies setup stalls
to signify the achievements and projects that they have undertaken.