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Majestic Mysuru: Immersing in the Grandeur of Dasara Festivities
- Sai Venkatesh Vemuri
- Oct 13, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 11, 2024
Dasara in Mysuru is more than just a festival; it’s a spectacle of grandeur, tradition, and celebration. As the Nada Habba, or state festival of Karnataka, every corner of Mysuru is illuminated, and the city is swept up in a jubilant atmosphere of celebration.
Table of Contents
Mysuru, often hailed as the "Cultural Capital of Karnataka," is a charming city nestled at the foothills of the Chamundi Hills, approximately 150 kilometers from Bengaluru, the state capital. Famous for its rich history, heritage, and royal grandeur, Mysuru effortlessly blends its regal past with vibrant cultural traditions, making it one of the most captivating destinations in southern India. The Dasara festival in Mysuru is a celebration like no other, blending centuries-old traditions with royal splendor.
The Origins: Mysuru & Dasara
Dasara is a festival celebrated across India to honor the triumph of good over evil, symbolized by the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. According to Hindu mythology it was on the day of Vijayadashami. The city of Mysuru derives its name from this very demon, and its guardian deity, Goddess Chamundeshwari of the Chamundi Hills, is revered as a powerful aspect of Durga. This deep-rooted connection heightens the significance of Dasara for the city, making the celebrations in Mysuru truly exceptional.
Chamundeshwari Temple: A Sacred Sanctuary on Chamundi Hills
The Chamundeshwari Temple, revered as a Shakti Peetha, holds immense religious significance. Perched atop the Chamundi Hills, the temple offers not only a sacred space for worship but also breathtaking views of the city below. During the evenings of the grand Dasara festivities, the entire city is illuminated with a golden hue, casting a magical glow that can be seen from the hilltop.
The Present: Mysuru Dasara Mahotsava
The royal family of Mysuru, the Wadiyars, elevated Dasara from a religious festival to an opulent royal celebration. It was under their rule that Dasara took on its current form, blending religious observances with royal pageantry and public festivities.
Almost every road, junction, and building in Mysuru is adorned with vibrant, decorative lighting, creating a dazzling spectacle that transforms the city into a glowing wonderland. The festive illumination casts a warm and inviting glow that evokes a sense of joy and celebration.
Mysuru transforms into a vibrant hub of activity, offering a plethora of events over ten days. The festival features religious ceremonies, cultural performances, literary discussions, traditional arts and crafts exhibitions, a film festival, and sports competitions. A standout event is the Yuva Dasara, a special segment dedicated to the youth, featuring a variety of events like music concerts, dance performances by renowned artists such as Shreya Ghoshal, Ravi Basrur, Badshah, A.R. Rahman, and Ilaiyaraaja and more. You can find everything on the official government website here.
The Gold Card for Mysuru Dasara is a unique pass aimed at enhancing the experience for visitors during this grand festival. With this card, you get access to places like Chamundi Hill, the Mysuru Zoo, and the Mysore Palace throughout the festivities. One of the biggest perks being offered is the premium seating for the Jumboo Savari at the palace grounds and the Torchlight Parade at Bannimantapa.
While the Gold Card certainly made navigating the festival easier and saved a lot of time, the facilities and crowd management were only somewhat adequate. Given that this is an annual event, I had higher expectations for the organizers. With so many people flocking to Mysuru for Dasara, I hoped for a smoother experience for everyone.
Jumbo Savari: The Grand Dasara Procession
The grand Dasara Procession, known as Jumbo Savari, is a key highlight of the celebrations. On the tenth day, Vijayadashami, the beautifully adorned idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the patron deity of Mysuru, is placed on a royal golden howdah atop a magnificent elephant. The parade kicks off from the iconic Mysore Palace and makes its way to Bannimantap, drawing thousands of visitors from around the world.
Entry for Gold Ticket holders was through the Shvetha Varaha Swamy Temple Gate, with the gates opening at 10 AM for the parade that started at 2 PM.
The event begins with the arrival of the Wadiyar royal family, the chief minister, and other key ministers and dignitaries. Our seating was directly in front of the palace, giving us a prime view right across from the VIP area.
Jamboo Savari, which translates to elephant procession, is the heart of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations. The parade kicks off with colorfully adorned elephants, draped in rich garments, showcasing their grandeur as they march through the streets. Some of these elephants have been part of the event for several years, adding a sense of continuity and tradition. This year, we had 14 elephants taking part, including Lakshmi, Varalakshmi, Dhananjaya, Mahendra, Bheema, Gopi, Sugreeva, Prashant, Kanjan, Lakshmi (again), Rohith, Hiranya, Ekalavya, and the star of the show, Captain Abhimanyu, who proudly carried the Golden Howdah.
Each elephant gracefully salutes the dignitaries by raising its trunk high, a majestic gesture that adds to the regal atmosphere of the parade.
At the start of the parade, a lead elephant, followed by five pairs of elephants, makes its way through the streets, setting the tone for the grand procession. The remaining three elephants appear towards the end.
The parade itself is a vibrant display of Karnataka's rich cultural heritage, featuring an array of dance forms, traditional art performances, music bands, and colourful tableaux. The lineup generally alternates between a striking tableau, a rhythmic drum band, and a cultural performance, often dance. While I’ll recount the procession highlights in this post, the narration might not follow the exact sequence of the parade.
Veeragase is a lively folk dance from Karnataka, characterized by dancers dressed in traditional warrior attire and wielding swords. This captivating performance dramatizes the heroism associated with Veerabhadra, a fierce aspect of Lord Shiva. The dance features high-energy movements that showcase the strength and agility of the performers, all set to the rhythmic beats of drums.
You’ll also come across numerous artists dressed in elaborate costumes, skillfully portraying characters and stories from the Ramayana and other epic tales.
Their vibrant outfits and expressive performances add a dynamic element to the festivities, captivating audiences and immersing them in the rich narratives of these age-old legends.
Yakshagana is a traditional folk theater form from Karnataka, known for its vibrant costumes, expressive makeup, and elaborate storytelling. Combining dance, music, and dramatic dialogue, the performances depict stories from Indian epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Gaarudi Gombe is a captivating traditional folk art form where performers don oversized doll suits, creating an enchanting spectacle. The vibrant costumes and playful movements engage audiences, making it a popular highlight in the celebrations.
You'll see many dancers dressed in animal costumes, such as peacocks, roosters, and tigers, reflecting a deep connection to nature. These colorful outfits and lively performances not only entertain but also celebrate the rich diversity of wildlife in our surroundings.
You'll find numerous tableaux from various government organizations, cooperatives, and districts across Karnataka, showcasing their unique culture and achievements. It's a wonderful way to celebrate the richness of Karnataka’s culture.
This year's theme is 'Constitution, Unity, and Democracy', and you'll see several tableaux that beautifully highlight these concepts.
Many talented dancers showcase their unique art forms, each adding vibrant color and energy to the festivities. From tribal dance troupes with their earthy beats and spirited moves to traditional folk and classical performances, each group brings its own rhythm and flair.
The parade also features a thrilling lineup of performers like jugglers, fire dancers, and acrobats who keep the energy high with their dazzling skills.
Throughout the parade, you'll notice the frequent sight of human pyramids formed by groups of people as a gesture of respect and greeting toward the dignitaries. While this display adds to the spectacle, it does slow the pace of the procession.
The parade also features a number of religious processions, each accompanied by devotional songs or rhythmic beats that add a spiritual touch to the festivities. These processions, honoring deities and local traditions, bring together communities in reverence and celebration.
The idols of various gods are beautifully adorned in vibrant garments and fresh flowers, carried atop the heads of devotees in rhythmic, graceful movements. This display of devotion is a captivating sight for all.
As the parade nears its end, the royal band makes its entrance. Meanwhile, the horses stand on guard, awaiting the arrival of the howdah carrying Goddess Chamundeshwari, the true centrepiece of this grand celebration.
At the grand finale of the parade, the majestic elephant Captain Abhimanyu makes his regal appearance, carrying the golden howdah adorned with the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari.
Captain Abhimanyu moves gracefully through the cheering crowd, their excitement rising with each step he takes. This awe-inspiring sight captures the hearts of onlookers, leaving a lasting impression of grandeur and devotion.
The dignitaries pay their respects to the goddess by offering floral tributes and saluting in reverence. This heartfelt gesture marks the conclusion of the parade at the palace grounds.
Once the parade concludes, the palace grounds open up to the public, drawing in large crowds eager to capture memorable photos. Many visitors also gather to await the stunning illumination of the palace as evening falls.
The parade makes its way from the palace to Bannimantap, which is about 5 km away, where the torchlight parade and other events kick off at 8 PM. I attempted to make it there, but the roads were packed with people, and after a long day, I was too tired to navigate through the heavy crowds.
An Illumination Spectacle: The Evening at Mysore Palace
At 6:30 PM, the palace comes alive as it is illuminated with help of 97,000 bulbs. The sight is nothing short of spectacular masterpiece that captivates everyone present.
This was my first time attending Jamboo Savari, and while the event itself was incredible, I found the crowd management to be lacking compared to other events of similar scale.
Getting into the queue was quite a challenge. We were gathered along the road, and only small batches were allowed in due to a single line for both ticket verification and security checks. The blazing sun made the wait even more uncomfortable. To top it off, many people started cutting in line with the help of organizers and officials, adding to the frustration.
The seating area didn’t have any nearby provisions for fans, drinking water, or restrooms. It was extremely hot during the first half of the event, and many people struggled to stay comfortable. The only available refreshment was paid juice in limited quantities, leading to some people struggling to get their hands on it.
The parade lacked a consistent tempo; it moved slowly, and participants often had to be pushed along to keep things moving.
Additionally, there were too many non-participants on the main parade path, which disrupted the viewing experience for those of us trying to enjoy the festivities.
It even showered for a while during the event, and the water started to seep from the roof, creating additional challenges for the audience.
And that wraps up this journey! Be sure to explore more stories on this blog. I'd love to hear from you, so feel free to connect through the contact section.
Essential Information
Who should visit?
Architecture Buff
Weekender
Budget Explorer
Culinary Enthusiast
When to visit?
Recommended - September to March
Jamboo Savari happens on 10th day of Dasara which typically falls in September / October. Expect crowd during this period.
Where to Stay?
Zostel
Palace Hostel By Borrbo
What to do?
Explore the Mysore Palace.
Visit Chamundi Hill and Chamundeshwari Temple.
Explore the Railway Museum.
Take a Day Trip to Somanathapura.
Savor authentic Mysuru classics like Mysore Pak (from Guru Sweets, believed to be the original creators) and the famous Mysore Masala Dosa.
How to travel?Take a Day Trip to Somanathapura
Mysuru is accessible by flight or train from major cities across India.
Mysuru is about 150 km from Bengaluru, taking roughly 3 hours by road / rail. Numerous public and private buses are available for the journey.
You can hire a bike or take auto-rickshaws for local travel.
Recommended Trip Duration
2 Days / 1 Night
Estimated Trip Budget
~INR 10,000 per Person*
* Excluding transportation costs via flight or train, and if you'll be traveling around via public transport or in a group of four using a car.
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