Ten-day Dasara festivities commence

Amid chanting of Vedic hymns, the famous ten-day Dasara festivities commenced here Wednesday.

Infosys Foundation chairman Sudha Murthy kickstarted the Navaratri festivities in the presence of chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and the Mysuru royal Wadiyar family.

Festivities began with special prayers being offered to Goddess Chamundeshwari, the family deity, for the well-being of the state and itscitizens.

The present titular Maharaja- Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar conducted a customary private durbar putting on his crown and sporting the royal attire, on the occasion.

His courtiers too were decked in traditional dress.

During the private durbar or royal court, the Maharaja seeks the reports on the status of treasury, income and expenditureand the report from his courtiers and ministers.

The royal palace will be illuminated with about one lakh bulbs glowing all through the ten-day festival.

Dance and music concerts, traditional Indian wrestling, exhibition and special poojas will be held.

The event culminates with the 'Jumbo Sawari' or procession of well decorated elephants and display of various tableaux carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari on Vijayadashmi or the 10th day of the festival.

Legend has it that the Goddess Chamundeshswari or Durga slew the demon Mahishasuran on Vijayadashmi day.

Dasara was celebrated by the rulers of the Vijayanagar empire (1336 AD to 1646 AD) and the tradition was inherited by the Wadiyars.

However, with the abolition of the institution of the kings and the announcement of privy purse, the state government took over the mantle of celebrating Dasara.