The Famous Mysuru Dasara Festival of Mysore, India

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mysoredasara.gov.in


Mysore, the second biggest city (pop. 887,000) and cultural capital of Karnataka state in southern India, has been transforming itself into a cutting-edge city while preserving its breaktaking legacy of magnificent palaces and extravagant maharajahs. Attracting 3.15 million tourists a year, it's home to brilliant temples, gardens, and particularly palaces along with delicious dining, with highlights including Mysore Palace, Brindavan Gardens, Jaganmohan Palace, Chamundi Hills, and the nearby temple town Srirangapatna.

The number of visitors spikes especially at this time of year for the city's biggest annual event, the Mysuru Dasara, Karanataka's naada habba (state celebration), in 2019 starting this Saturday and lasting ten days. Commemorating the legendary slaying by the Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari (aka Durga) of the "buffalo demon" Mahishasura, its central event is a traditional Dussehra parade (also known as the "Jumbo Safari") through the streets from Mysore Palace - adorned during the festival with some 100,000 light bulbs - to Bannimantap parade grounds, with floats, marching bands, and an icon of Chamundeshwari  carried atop an elaboreately embellished elephant (one of 12 "jumbos"). At Bannimantap a light parade continues into the night, along with music, dancing, and food. Also part of the festival are a legacy walk, film screenings, and wrestling competitions, and a Dasara market, across from Mysore Palace and lasting until December, selling both household products and traditional handicrafts.

Our Mysore Dasara tour package will help you explore the splendid legacy of this venerable city while enjoying to the fullest this exciting festival. For more information on visiting at other times of year, visit our Mysore Tour Packages site.