Mysore: Mysore Dasara 2023: Mysore Dasara is one of the most auspicious and famous festival celebrated during Navratri. This festival is celebrated for ten long days starts from the first day of Navratri and it ends on the day of Vijayadashami. This is the most awaited festival celebrated in the Mysore city. People celebrate this festival with great grandeur and enthusiasm. This year, Mysore Dasara started from October 15, 2023 and it will end on October 24, 2023.

Mysore Dasara 2023: Significance
Mysore Dasara festival is celebrated with great grandeur and enthusiasm. This festival started from 1610 when Raja Wadiya started this celebration for ten long days. They started many events such as cultural events and entertainment events and added many more traditions to it. There is a story associated with this festival that Goddess Chamundeshwari of the Chamundi Hill, killed the demon Mahishasura. and restored the Dharma against evil.

Mysore Dasara 2023: Grand Celebration
There is a grand parade held on the Vijayadashami day, which marks the most significant aspect of this grand festival. There are total of three grand processions during Mysore Dasara. People celebrate the first procession on Maha Navami day. On this day, people worship the royal sword and this procession is carried out with horses, camels, elephants, dancers and others. Everyone associated with this festival, participate in this procession and enjoy it. 

The other two processions are carried out on the day of Dasara, the first one is traditional one known as Jumboo Savari. A large number of people witness this grand procession and armed forces also take part in it. The idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is placed on a golden seat on an elephant, which is the main attraction of the festival.

After completing this Parade, the last parade is famous with the name Torchlight Parade, which is held in the evening on the day of Vijayadashami. This procession is also known as Panjina Kavavitha and it marks the end of this festival with grand celebration.

Can visitors witness this festival free of cost?
Yes, anyone can visit there to witness this amazing festival absolutely free of cost. There is an event during the festival named "The Torchlight Parade" for which visitors have to take a VIP Gold Card. This is to be noted that it costs around INR 4000/person.