Mysore, Oct 8: While the celebratory mood of festival of nine nights, Navaratri, has caught on across the country, the city of palaces is set for a very special and rather historic Dasara celebrations as 2010 marks 400th anniversary of the long standing tradition.

According to the official Mysore Dasara website, the first Dasara celebrations was held under the leadership of Raja Wodeyar in the year 1610 at Srirangapatna. The origin of the festival, however, is said to date back to 15th Century under the rule of Vijayanagar dynasty.

The 400th edition of the Mysore Dasara kick started on Thursday, Oct 8. The festivities will end on Sunday, Oct 17.

Mysore Dasara is the state festival or 'Naada Habba' of Karnataka. Dasara and Navaratri are same festivals that signifies the nine nights that Goddess Durga spent fight a demon, called Mahishasur, who, according to the legends, was the resident demon of Mysore.

The festival culminates on tenth day, which is known as 'Vijaydashami'.

Mysore Dasara celebration, which include procession of elephants (Ambari), exhibitions of handicrafts and artifacts, competitions and melas, is not only famous among the Hindus in India but is also renowned world-wide as one of jubilant and colourful festivals of the country.

OneIndia News