The Mysuru Palace in Karnataka is famous for the grand celebration of which festival?

The Mysuru Dasara is the grand ten-day celebration of Dussehra (Navratri and Vijayadashami) in the city of Mysuru, Karnataka. It is the state festival (Nadahabba) of Karnataka, and its centre is the magnificent Mysuru Palace, the former residence of the Wodeyar kings.

The tradition of celebrating Dasara with great splendour goes back to the Vijayanagara Empire, whose kings celebrated the Mahanavami festival at Hampi. After the fall of Vijayanagara, the Wodeyar rulers of Mysuru continued the tradition. Raja Wodeyar I started the Dasara celebrations at Srirangapatna in 1610, and they later moved to Mysuru. The festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru, over the demon Mahishasura, after whom the city is believed to be named. The goddess's temple stands on the Chamundi Hills near the city.

During the festival, the Mysuru Palace is lit up every evening with nearly one lakh light bulbs, creating a spectacular sight. A traditional private durbar is held by the royal family in the palace. Cultural programmes, music and dance performances, a food festival, sports events and an exhibition are held across the city. The festival ends on Vijayadashami with the Jamboo Savari, a grand procession in which an image of Goddess Chamundeshwari is carried on a golden howdah, weighing about 750 kg, on the back of a decorated elephant. The procession, accompanied by music bands, dancers, decorated elephants and tableaux, goes from the palace to the Bannimantap grounds, where a torchlight parade (Panjina Kavayatthu) is held in the evening.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Diwali is the festival of lights, celebrated after Dussehra.
• ✗Pongal is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu.
• ✗Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala.