Paper short abstract:

The world famous traditional Dasara festival which was celebrated by Mysore wodeyars,and its historical importance will be discussed in detail.

Paper long abstract:

The 'Dasara' festival is one of the ritual cycles that are performed yearly in various forms across India.Traditionally it has to be celebrated with pomp and glory. In South India, 'Dasara' gained great fame under the Wodeyar Kings of Mysore.

According to mythology, this ten days festival celebrates the Great Goddes during nine nights under different names. The festival concludes on the tenth day with an elaborate Durga Pooja and grand procession, therefore it is familiarly known as Dasara the 'tenth'.

Subsequent developments made by the Mysore Wodeyars made MYSORU DASARA world famous and worthy of the status of UNESCO Inatgible Cultural Heritage. Thus, in the State Karnataka, the 'Dasara' festival turned in to a NADAHABBA or' peoples festival' that portrays the culture and tradition of popular, local historical and mythological characters.