Dussehra at Mysore Palace: All About Dasara Celebrations

Mysuru Dasara 2024: Mysuru Dasara, or Dussehra, is a royal festival celebrated with great splendour in Karnataka’s Mysore. 

Spanning over 10 days, the festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, specifically the triumph of Goddess Chamundeshwari over the demon Mahishasura. 

The Wodeyar dynasty has been observing this festival for centuries, making it one of the most significant cultural events in India.

The heart of the Mysuru Dasara is the Mysore Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, the royal family leads the celebrations, attracting thousands of tourists and devotees. The palace and the city are decorated with vibrant lights, covering over 130 kilometers of streets, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

The Jumbo Savari Procession

One of the major highlights of Mysuru Dasara is the Jumboo Savari, a grand procession held on Vijayadashami, the final day of the festival.

Elephants, elaborately decorated in colorful garments and jewels, carry the royal family in a ceremonious procession through the streets of Mysore. The beautifully adorned howdah on the lead elephant holds a statue of Goddess Chamundeshwari, symbolizing the essence of the festival.

This year's Jumboo Savari will be followed by a stunning torchlight parade at the Banni Mantap Grounds, a tradition that adds to the majestic atmosphere of the celebrations.

 Mysuru Dasara 2024 Preparations

For the 2024 festivities, Karnataka’s Minister for Kannada and Culture, HC Mahadevappa, has been reportedly overseeing the arrangements. Nineteen sub-committees have been formed to ensure systematic planning, with a budget of ₹6.5 crore allocated for the illumination alone.

The grand opening was marked by the Dasara Flower Show at Kuppanna Park, inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. .

Mysuru Dasara 2024 is set to be a blend of cultural heritage, royal traditions, and a reflection of contemporary governance, promising an unforgettable experience for all who attend.

Festivities were first started in Mysuru by the Wadiyar King, Raja Wadiyar I in the year 1610.

It became a private affair of the royal family following the abolition of the privy purse in 1971 and the discontinuation of the privileges of the erstwhile rulers.

However, a low-key Dasara used to be held on the initiative of the local people until the state government stepped in and the then Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs revived the Dasara celebrations in 1975, which is being followed till date. 

(Inputs from agencies)