Dussehra - Vijayadasahmi

It's a festive month here at India. 'Dussehra' is festival which comes with long holidays and is celebrated at all parts of the country. People worship 'Godess Durga' and the festival is celebrated with great pomp and show at Mysore since the kingly rules. It has the same charm more or less even now. The festival runs for nine days and the tenth day is 'Vijayadashami'. This is a not-to-be-missed festival here in India.

In Southern India, Eastern India and Western India, the festival of Navaratri which culminates with Vijayadashami commemorates the legend in which the Goddess Durga, also known as Chamundeshwari or Mahishasura Mardini, vanquishes the demon Mahishasura, an event that is said to have taken place in the vicinity of the present day city of Mysore in Karnataka.

In Northern India, the same 10-day festival commemorates the victory of Rama, prince of Ayodhya in present-day Uttar Pradesh, over Ravana, the ruler of Lanka.

Madikeri (Coorg / Kodagu)

In Madikeri Dasara is celebrated in a different style. Madikeri Dasara has a history of over 100 years. Here Dasara starts of with Kargas from four Mariamma Temples. There will be a procession of 10 Mantapas from 10 Temples on the night of Vijayadashami.

At night, effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghanada are stuffed with firecrackers and set alight. Children especially enjoy seeing this because of the beautiful fireworks on the ground. The festival, which is thought of as the "Victory of Good over Evil" and "Return of Rama from Exile" is celebrated in grand style. Because the day is auspicious, people inaugurate new vehicles, machines, books, weapons and tools by ceremonially asking god to bless the new items.