Mysore Dasara

(Top to bottom, L-R) Mysore Palace illuminated during the festival, procession of Goddess Chamundeshwari's idol, elephant procession on Vijayadashami
Type	Cultural, Religious (Hindu)
Significance	Marking the victory of good over evil
Celebrations	lighting Mysuru Palace, Ramayana theatre, mela (fairs), processions and parades
Begins	September/October per Hindu calendar
Ends	10 days later
Frequency	Annual
First time	17–27 September 1610
Related to	Chamundeshwari (goddess Shakti), Durga, Mahishasura, The Ramayana, the Vijayanagara Empire, the Kingdom of Mysore, the Wadiyar dynasty

This article is part of a series about the Kingdom of Mysore
Kingdom of Mysore Mysore State Karnataka Ruling families Wadiyar dynasty Ruling titles Maharaja of Mysore Capitals Mysore Srirangapatna Bangalore (residence) Superiors Vijayanagara Empire (1399 - 1646) British Raj (1857 - 1947) Indian Union (1947 - 1950) Prime ministers Dewan of Mysore Alliance French Kingdom British Raj Related Famous leaders Chamarajendra Wadiyar X Krishnaraja Wadiyar III Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar Kempa Nanjammani Vani Vilasa Sannidhana Tipu Sultan M. Visvesvaraya Mirza Ismail Arts and culture during Mysore Kingdom Mysore Yoga Mysore literature in Kannada Musicians of the Kingdom of Mysore Famous events and moments Vani Vilas Regency Golden Era of Mysore Kingdom Mysore Dasara Vijayadashami Mysore Brand Mysore Incense (ಮೈಸೂರು ಅಗರ್ಬತ್ತಿ) Mysore Sandal Soap Mysore Sandalwood Oil Mysore Betels (ಮೈಸೂರು ವೀಳ್ಯದೆಲೆ) Mysore Jasmine (ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ) Mysore Turban (ಮೈಸೂರು ಪೇಟ) Mysore Paints, Mysore Inks Mysore Pak (ಮೈಸೂರು ಪಾಕ) Mysore Rosewood Inlay Mysore Kingdom landmarks Mysore Palace Mysore Zoo Krishna Raja Sagara Bangalore Town Mysore City List of Heritage Buildings in Mysore Mysore era firms and organisations Mysore Paper Mills Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited Shivanasamudra Hydro-Electricity Power Station State Bank of Mysore Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
v t e

Mysore Dasara is a state festival in the state of Karnataka in India. It is a 10-day festival, starting with nine nights called Navaratri and the last day being Vijayadashami. The festival is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvina, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.^[1][2][3]

The Hindu festival of Navaratri and its occasion of Vijayadashami celebrates the victory of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, it commemorates the day the goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga) slew the demon Mahishasura.^[4] Mahishasura is also believed to be the demon whose slaying by the goddess gave the city the name Mysuru. The Mysuru tradition celebrates the warriors and the state fighting for the good during this festival, ritually worshipping and displaying the state sword, weapons, elephants, horses, along with the goddess in her warrior form (predominantly) as well as the avatar of Vishnu, Rama. The ceremonies and a major procession is traditionally presided by the king of Mysuru.^[4]

The city of Mysuru has a long tradition of celebrating the Dasara festival with grandeur and pomp to mark the festival. The Dasara festival in Mysuru completed 409th anniversary in the year 2019,^[5] while evidence suggests the festivities were observed in Karnataka state by the Vijayanagara Empire kings in the 15th century.^[6]