Bengaluru: The countdown to the world-famous Mysore Dussehra Festival 2025 has begun. Booker Prize-winning Kannada author Banu Mushtaq will inaugurate the festival by showering flowers on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysore and its royal families, amid chanting of Vedic mantras at the Chamundeshwari Temple complex on the Chamundi Hills here on September 22, during the auspicious ‘Vrishchik Lagna’.
Meanwhile, the heir to the jewel-studded throne, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar of the royal family, will begin holding a private court at the world-famous Mysore Palace on Monday (September 22) morning.
This year’s Dussehra festival will run from October 2, according to the lunar calendar, until ‘Vijayadashami’. Author Banu Mushtaq will be present at the inaugural ceremony, along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, several of his cabinet colleagues, and senior officials. Dussehra, considered one of the region’s largest and most important festivals, evolved into a public celebration under the royal patronage of the erstwhile Mysore dynasty. Nowadays, the festival is celebrated under the auspices of the Karnataka government.
The world-famous ‘Jambu Savari,’ a procession of caparisoned elephants carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed in a gold-plated howdah on Vijayadashami, will conclude the festival on October 2nd. An elephant named ‘Abhimanyu,’ which has been carrying the 750-kilogram howdah since 2020, will continue to perform this duty this year.
Various Events to be Held
During these auspicious days of Navaratri, various events will be held, during which Mysore’s palace, major roads, roundabouts, and buildings will be illuminated with lights, fondly called ‘Deepalankara.’
This year, a large number of artists, including artists from across the state, will perform various cultural programs on various stages during Dussehra. In addition, dozens of other attractive events will be held, including a food fair, a flower show, cultural programs, Kisan Dussehra, Mahila Dussehra, Yuva Dussehra, Bal Dussehra, and poetry recitations.
However, the cultural programs held in front of the illuminated Ambavilas Palace will be the main attraction, as it will be the main venue for performances by acclaimed artists from the state and national levels. In addition to these events, the famous Dussehra procession (Jambu Savari), the torchlight procession, and the Mysore Dussehra exhibition also attract large crowds during the festival. The royal family’s refuge in the palace during Navratri
The throne has been removed from the palace’s strong room and installed in a glass tank. The lion will be installed on the throne on Monday morning. The Kankanadaharan ceremony for Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar will then be held in the Chamundi Tank.
At 11:35 a.m., religious rituals accompanied by auspicious musical instruments will be held near the Kodi Someshwara Temple in the palace complex. Women carrying Kalash will be brought to the Savar pond along with the Patta Aane (royal elephant), horse, and cow and worshipped. A private court will be held from September 22nd to 29th.
Yaduveera Wadiyar will perform Saraswati Puja in the morning on September 29th. The private court will conclude that night. Following the private court, a night puja will be held at the Kannadi Thotti (pond). On the day of Shastra Puja, the Chandi Homa will begin at 6 a.m. Between 7:30 and 7:42 a.m., personal weapons, including the Patta Katthi (sword), will be brought from the palace to the Kodi Someshwara Temple and worshipped.
According to information, the sword and personal weapons will be worshipped in the Kalyan Mandapam. That evening, Yaduveera Wadiyar will immerse the Kankana. Vijayadashami puja will be performed on October 2nd at 10 a.m. The Vijay Yatra will begin at 10:55 a.m. After all the pujas are completed, the Jumbo Savari will be inaugurated.
Ascension to the Throne
For the private durbar, the palace priests, along with the temples in the palace complex, including the palace Kuladevi Chamundeshwari Temple at Chamundi Betta, Uttanahalli Maramma, Srikanteshwara Temple at Nanjangud, Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangapatna, and Chuluvanarayana Swamy Temple at Melukote, will bring holy water to the throne and perform puja. After the prokshana and puja, Yaduveer will ascend the throne.
Yaduveer will pay obeisance to the Chamundeshwari idol brought from the Chamundi tank to Kannadi tank and ascend the throne. Before descending the throne, he will stand on it and salute. Following the playing of the royal anthem “Kayu Sri Gauri,” the royal family members will pay their respects. In addition, the police band will play various music, including Mahaganapati, Saraswati Bhagavathy, Aigiri Nandini, Vijayambike, and Sri Chamundeshwari.
Yaduveer’s 11th private court
This is the 11th private court of Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, a descendant of Yaduveer. This is also the second time Yaduveer is holding a court as a Member of Parliament. Since his accession to the throne, his wife Trishika Kumari Wadiyar protects and worships Yaduveer.
