Tintin Talks: MYSORE DASARA

2011 Dasara was a special one for me. After a gap of nearly 5 years I happened to be in home during Dasara. Actually as per my earlier plan, I had to take my half yearly vacation from Sep 14th till Sep 28th. But when I told this to my mother, she insisted me to postpone the vacation by 10 more days so as to match according to Dasara and be in home during the festival. As a Mysorean Dasara festival is always special for me. It is actually our State festival too. The Dasara festival starts on the 1st day of Hindu month Ashwayuja and celebrated for 10 consecutive days. The festival ends on Vijayadashami. In Mysore during Dasara, all the ten days city will be decorated and main buildings are lighted. The dasara festival is inaugurated from famous personality of the state by performing special pooja to Godess Chamundi (deity of Mysore) and lighting the lamp. Followed by this will be several cultural events, music shows, folk dances, children performances etc.... for 10 days at various places within Mysore. In fact these days government is celebrating dasara with more events viz Yuva dasara, Raita (Farmers) Dasara, Makkala (Children) dasara, Kavi (poets) dasara and many more. Every night music programs are being organized in the Palace. Famous musicians from all across the country are being invited to perform. 8th day of the festival is dedicated to Sarasvati, godess of Knoweldge and education. This one is special for students and teachers. 9th day is celebrated as Ayudha Pooja. On this day people worship of implements used in daily life such as computers, books, vehicles or kitchen tools. the effort to see the divine in the tools and objects one uses in daily life is central to this celebration. It is belived that any new venture such as starting of business or purchasing of new household items on this day is bound to bring success and prosperity. The 10th and final day is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami, day remembered as the victory of good over evil. On this day a special world famous traditional Procession (Jamboo Savari) is held in the streets of Mysore. The main attraction of this procession is the idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari which is placed on a golden mantapa 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, 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. The celebrations end with a special torch light parade. 2011 procession was 401th Dasara procession held at Mysore. The city was nicely decorated and many building were lighted superbly.

One more special thing about Mysore Dasara is that, traditionally during these 10 days dolls are exhibited in most of the houses. There is a legend related to the exhibition of toys that is known as "Bombe habba" in Karnataka, A Kalasha is kept in front of the Pattada Gombe and lights are lit and the dolls are worshipped on all the 9 days. An Aarathi is performed in the evening after all the people invited assemble in the hall accompanied by devotional songs. Delicious snacks are prepared and offered to the dolls and are distributed among the children and ladies.

One evening I went along with my parents specially to capture the beauty of Mysore during Dasara. Also one evening I went to Yuva Dasara program with my uncle. Famous playback singer Kavita Krishnamoorthy performance was there. The program was too good, but rain did not allow me to enjoy much. Here are few photos which I captured during Dasara. You can appreciate the beauty of Mysore captured from my camera J