NEWS

By Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

28 September 2009: Dasara is the festival that is being celebrated throughout India as the celebration of the victory of the good over the evil. However, the mode and the fervour of the celebration differ to a great extent across the country. In different parts of India, Dasara has been celebrated in different ways. In some regions it has been celebrated as Navratri, some observe it as Vijayadashami, in Bengal and Eastern India, devotees celebrate it as Durga Puja and in other regions, especially in Karnataka it is celebrated as Dasara. In whichever region or in whatever manner Dasara is being celebrated, the central theme of these celebrations is the slaying of the Demon King Mahishasura by Goddess Durga or the victory of Rama over Ravana. The celebrations vary from a day to nine days in the case of Navratri or one month in case of Mysore Dasara.

Dasara has been celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwini month according to the Shaka Hindu Calendar that fall between September and October. This year Dasara is being celebrated on Monday, 28th September 2009. On this day the images of Goddess Durga installed on the first day of the Navratri are immersed in water bodies. In West Bengal, the huge Durga images are immersed in the Ganges and other rivers. On this day people also worship Aapta tree and exchange its leaves known as golden leaves (sona) as symbol of gold and wish each other bright and prosperous future.

Another important ritual during the Dasara is the decoration and worship of the instruments such as machines in factories and industries, transport facilities such as buses, trucks, smaller vehicles and even train engines. Farmers worship their ploughs, tractors and other instruments that are used in agricultural activities. This ritual is known as the Ayudha Puja and treated as Vishwakarma Day which is observed either on the eighth or ninth day of the Navratri. Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects.


By Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

28 September 2009: Dasara is the festival that is being celebrated throughout India as the celebration of the victory of the good over the evil. However, the mode and the fervour of the celebration differ to a great extent across the country. In different parts of India, Dasara has been celebrated in different ways. In some regions it has been celebrated as Navratri, some observe it as Vijayadashami, in Bengal and Eastern India, devotees celebrate it as Durga Puja and in other regions, especially in Karnataka it is celebrated as Dasara. In whichever region or in whatever manner Dasara is being celebrated, the central theme of these celebrations is the slaying of the Demon King Mahishasura by Goddess Durga or the victory of Rama over Ravana. The celebrations vary from a day to nine days in the case of Navratri or one month in case of Mysore Dasara.

Dasara has been celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwini month according to the Shaka Hindu Calendar that fall between September and October. This year Dasara is being celebrated on Monday, 28th September 2009. On this day the images of Goddess Durga installed on the first day of the Navratri are immersed in water bodies. In West Bengal, the huge Durga images are immersed in the Ganges and other rivers. On this day people also worship Aapta tree and exchange its leaves known as golden leaves (sona) as symbol of gold and wish each other bright and prosperous future.

Another important ritual during the Dasara is the decoration and worship of the instruments such as machines in factories and industries, transport facilities such as buses, trucks, smaller vehicles and even train engines. Farmers worship their ploughs, tractors and other instruments that are used in agricultural activities. This ritual is known as the Ayudha Puja and treated as Vishwakarma Day which is observed either on the eighth or ninth day of the Navratri. Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects.

In commercial organizations, business houses, shops and establishments the accounts books, other important documents are brought and kept in the place of the puja place. Pujas are performed by a priest who prays for the growth and prosperity of the organization.

People usually start new ventures such as business, education, etc. on this day as Vijayadashami is considered as an auspicious day and assures success. On Vijayadashami day the small children are taught their first alphabet and some of them are admitted to school to commence their formal education. Formal training in music, dance and other art forms are invariably starts only on this day. As a social festival during the Navratri celebrations number of cultural organisations conduct competitions for children and women in the field of music, dance, cookery, floral arrangements and so on.
During the Navratri preceding Dasara, the life of Lord Rama is enacted in the form of ‘Ramlila’. On the tenth day, that is, Dasara or Vijayadashami, larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son Meghanand and brother Kumbhakarna are set on fire. This theatrical enactment of this dramatic encounter is held throughout the country in which every section of people participates enthusiastically. The burning of the effigies signifies that the people should destroy the evil within them and thus follow the path of truth and goodness, bearing in mind that Ravana, who in spite of all his might and majesty was destroyed by Lord Rama for his evil ways.

In the state of Karnataka, especially in Mysore, the Dasara festivities have special religious, historical, social and cultural significance. According to a legend, Mysore has been named after the demon Mahishasura, who was slain by Goddess Durga also known as Chamundeshwari in Mysore.

The Dasara festivities were first started by the Vijayanagar Kings in the 15th Century. Following the downfall of the Vijayanagar Empire, the Wodeyars of Mysore, who were subordinate to the Vijayanagar Kings proclaimed their independence in 1610. Raja Wodeyar, the founder of the Kingdom of Mysore started the Navratri festivities in order to celebrate his new found freedom, a tradition that was continued by his successors. It was during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in the year 1805, the king started the tradition of having a special durbar in the Mysore Palace during Dasara that was attended by members of the royal family, special invitees, officials and even Europeans and the masses.

The grand palace of the Mysore Maharaja designed and built under the direction of a British architect in 1897 was illuminated for Dasara festivities for the first time when the city of Mysore got electric power supply on 26th September 1908. The festival became a tradition of the royal household and reached its zenith during the rule of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (1902-1940). The royal durbar, the procession of decorated elephants with the king seated in a golden howdah followed by his ministers, administrators, the royal staff and the military came to an end with the merger of the princely states including Mysore into the Indian Union following the independence of India in August 1947.

The last crowned King of Mysore, Sri Jaya Chamarajendra Wodeyar, tried to revive the tradition of Dasara in his personal capacity after a few years. However, the old splendour of the festivities was missing. Following the death of Jaya Chamarajendra Wodeyar in 1974, the tradition again suffered a setback and Mysore almost lost its unique festival. Realizing the historical, social and cultural importance of the Dasara festival the Government of Karnataka decided to celebrate it as a state festival ‘Naada Habba’ without the royal paraphernalia.



By Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

28 September 2009: Dasara is the festival that is being celebrated throughout India as the celebration of the victory of the good over the evil. However, the mode and the fervour of the celebration differ to a great extent across the country. In different parts of India, Dasara has been celebrated in different ways. In some regions it has been celebrated as Navratri, some observe it as Vijayadashami, in Bengal and Eastern India, devotees celebrate it as Durga Puja and in other regions, especially in Karnataka it is celebrated as Dasara. In whichever region or in whatever manner Dasara is being celebrated, the central theme of these celebrations is the slaying of the Demon King Mahishasura by Goddess Durga or the victory of Rama over Ravana. The celebrations vary from a day to nine days in the case of Navratri or one month in case of Mysore Dasara.

Dasara has been celebrated on the tenth day of the Ashwini month according to the Shaka Hindu Calendar that fall between September and October. This year Dasara is being celebrated on Monday, 28th September 2009. On this day the images of Goddess Durga installed on the first day of the Navratri are immersed in water bodies. In West Bengal, the huge Durga images are immersed in the Ganges and other rivers. On this day people also worship Aapta tree and exchange its leaves known as golden leaves (sona) as symbol of gold and wish each other bright and prosperous future.

Another important ritual during the Dasara is the decoration and worship of the instruments such as machines in factories and industries, transport facilities such as buses, trucks, smaller vehicles and even train engines. Farmers worship their ploughs, tractors and other instruments that are used in agricultural activities. This ritual is known as the Ayudha Puja and treated as Vishwakarma Day which is observed either on the eighth or ninth day of the Navratri. Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects.

In commercial organizations, business houses, shops and establishments the accounts books, other important documents are brought and kept in the place of the puja place. Pujas are performed by a priest who prays for the growth and prosperity of the organization.

People usually start new ventures such as business, education, etc. on this day as Vijayadashami is considered as an auspicious day and assures success. On Vijayadashami day the small children are taught their first alphabet and some of them are admitted to school to commence their formal education. Formal training in music, dance and other art forms are invariably starts only on this day. As a social festival during the Navratri celebrations number of cultural organisations conduct competitions for children and women in the field of music, dance, cookery, floral arrangements and so on.

During the Navratri preceding Dasara, the life of Lord Rama is enacted in the form of ‘Ramlila’. On the tenth day, that is, Dasara or Vijayadashami, larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son Meghanand and brother Kumbhakarna are set on fire. This theatrical enactment of this dramatic encounter is held throughout the country in which every section of people participates enthusiastically. The burning of the effigies signifies that the people should destroy the evil within them and thus follow the path of truth and goodness, bearing in mind that Ravana, who in spite of all his might and majesty was destroyed by Lord Rama for his evil ways.

In the state of Karnataka, especially in Mysore, the Dasara festivities have special religious, historical, social and cultural significance. According to a legend, Mysore has been named after the demon Mahishasura, who was slain by Goddess Durga also known as Chamundeshwari in Mysore.

The Dasara festivities were first started by the Vijayanagar Kings in the 15th Century. Following the downfall of the Vijayanagar Empire, the Wodeyars of Mysore, who were subordinate to the Vijayanagar Kings proclaimed their independence in 1610. Raja Wodeyar, the founder of the Kingdom of Mysore started the Navratri festivities in order to celebrate his new found freedom, a tradition that was continued by his successors. It was during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in the year 1805, the king started the tradition of having a special durbar in the Mysore Palace during Dasara that was attended by members of the royal family, special invitees, officials and even Europeans and the masses.

The grand palace of the Mysore Maharaja designed and built under the direction of a British architect in 1897 was illuminated for Dasara festivities for the first time when the city of Mysore got electric power supply on 26th September 1908. The festival became a tradition of the royal household and reached its zenith during the rule of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (1902-1940). The royal durbar, the procession of decorated elephants with the king seated in a golden howdah followed by his ministers, administrators, the royal staff and the military came to an end with the merger of the princely states including Mysore into the Indian Union following the independence of India in August 1947.

The last crowned King of Mysore, Sri Jaya Chamarajendra Wodeyar, tried to revive the tradition of Dasara in his personal capacity after a few years. However, the old splendour of the festivities was missing. Following the death of Jaya Chamarajendra Wodeyar in 1974, the tradition again suffered a setback and Mysore almost lost its unique festival. Realizing the historical, social and cultural importance of the Dasara festival the Government of Karnataka decided to celebrate it as a state festival ‘Naada Habba’ without the royal paraphernalia.

In modern times, the Royal Palace of Mysore and city are lit up for ten days and the entire city is dressed up in a festive look for the Dasara festival. A two-month long Dasara Exhibition is held at the Doddakere Maidan in which several business and industrial houses take part. Apart from this, a Food and Film festival is also organized. During the festivities special religious ceremonies are held at different temples in Mysore especially the Chamundeshwari Temple on top of the Chamundi Hills.

The high point of the Dasara celebrations is the Vijayadashami procession held on the tenth day on the streets of Mysore. On this day, the famous elephant procession known as the Jambu Savari is still a significant part of the Dasara festivities. However, instead of the king, the image of Goddess Chamundeshwari is carried on the golden howdah placed on the chief elephant. This idol of Chamundeshwari is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees before it is taken around in the procession. During the procession, the elephants are followed by the decorated horses and Camels. NCC Cadets, Scouts and guides as well as other school and college students, folk dancers, verities colourful tableaus depicting the history and culture of the land and police band make up the nearly two and a half kilometre long procession which makes its way from the Royal Palace to the parade ground. The closing ceremonies of the Dasara Festival in Mysore include cultural functions from different regions of India ending with brilliant and colourful fireworks.

Bellevision wishes all the readers and supporters a Happy Dasara.