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08-09 October 2008
08 Oct 2008 Ayudha Pooja
09 Oct 2008 Vijayadashami

Dasara 2008

Mysore Dasara is a Royal Festival Celebrating victory of Truth over Evil. Legend has it that the Goddess Chamundeeswari or Durga slew the demon Mahishasuran on Vijayadashami day. 

Dasara is a 10-day festival in the region culminating on Vijayadashami or tenth day. The day marks the successful conclusion of the preceding nine days. Vijayadashami is also a day of victory of the King and his subjects, be it in a battle or day-to-day governance. The preceding nine days of Navarathri have celebrations starting only after six days. The sixth day is in honour of goddess Saraswathi. Eight day is dedicated to Durga and Ninth day is for Lakshmi, goddess of wealth. On tenth day a grand spectacular Procession is held which starts from Mysore Palace and ends in Bannimantap.

In Karnataka, Dasara is observed as State festival - Nadahabba, because of the celebration of the festival is steered by the Royal Family of Mysore. The royal family of Mysore performs special pooja on the occasion of Dasara. During Dasara, the entire City is gaily decorated and illuminated. The Palace and other important buildings are illuminated. Cultural programmes by famous artists are arranged in the Palace along with Sports, Wrestling, Poet's meet, Food Festival, Film Festival witnessed by a large number of people. Dasara Exhibition is arranged in the Doddakere Maidana, by the Karnataka Exhibition Authority, where the public and private sector industries, leading business establishments, Government departments put up their stalls to promote industrial and corporate business for months. 

Mysore is an enthralling destination for travelers, especially during Dasara. The illuminated Mysore Palace during the Dasara celebrations draws tourists from all over the world. Nearly Rs. 1 crore every year is spent towards maintenance of its illumination alone and more than 25,000 bulbs are replaced every year just before the Dasara festivities.The elephants for the Dasara processions are also undergoing training for the grand day. 12 Dasara jumbos will march on the procession route from Mysore Palace to Bannimantap twice a day.

Dasara with a Gold Card

The Gold card mainly is intended for foreign visitors visiting Mysore during the Dasara season, has been released and available with us in Bangalore and Mysore and at selected tourist centers including the Department of Tourism and the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) offices in the State.  Gold Cards are available at D.C.Office, APMC Office.
                                                             
Gold card priced Rs.6,000/*- each will enable tourists coming for witnessing the famous Mysore Dasara celebrations from 13 to 21 October 2008 to have easy and free access for 3 persons to witness various programmes from an exclusive enclosure. The gold card will also help them get discounts ranging from 10 to 25 per cent at selected hotels, shops like jewellery and handicrafts, and restaurants. 

PLACES
Where you can visit

(Free entry for the following places)

• Mysore Palace

• Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysore Zoo)

• Ranganthittu Birds Sanctuary

• Nagarhole Wild Life Sanctuary

• Krishnarajasagar (KRS)

• G.R.S Fantasy Park (One time Entry) 50% on entry fee

• Dasara Exibition

• Chamundi Temple (VIP Darshan)

• Musical Programme at Mysore Palace
  [Assured Seats]

• Dance Programme at Jaganmohan Palace

• Film Festival in Film Theatres

• Natakostava at Kalamandir

• Dasara Sports at Chamundivihar Stadium 
  Dasara National Level Wresting at 
  D.Devraj Urs Multi Purpose Stadium 
  (State Level Karate at Chamundivihar Indoor
  Stadium 

• Dasara National Level Wresting at 
  D.Devraj Urs Multi Purpose Stadium 
  (from 12th to 18th October)

• Horticultural show at Curzon Park

• Food Festival at Town Hall Grounds

• Yuvadasara at Manasagngnothri Open Air
  Theatre (Assured seats with car parking)

• Kavigosti at Jaganmohan Palace

• Air show at Bannimantap

• Karanji Lake Nature Park

• Jaganmohana Art Gallary

• Rail Museum

• Regional Museum of Natural History
  
  DASARA PROCESSION
  (JUMBO SAVARI)

• On 9th October 2008 (in the afternoon)

• Assured seats for 2+1 with car parking facility
  Entry through Jayamartanda Gate (Palace East Gate)

• Free vehicle parking at Doddakere Maidana 
  (Opposite to Jayamartanda Gate)
  
  TORCHLIGHT PARADE
  
  On 9th October 2008(in the evening)
  Assured seats with car parking facility at Gate
  No.1
  
  PLEASE NOTE

• Cost of Gold Card is Rs. 6000/-

• Par Gold Card Entry for 2+1 persons only

• Please produce the Gold Card at the
  entrance

• At business establishments, taxes as
  applicable

• 5% Discount for 2 persons one way on
  arranged trips by KSRTC for Gold Card
  Users

• This Gold Card is Valid from 30th September 2008 to 9th October 2008
  
  *Add Rs. 300/- towards courier and Bank charges for online payment.
  
  For booking please contact Mrs Asha: 98451 22339 or 0821-2444444 and Mr. Dinesh:98452 23122 or
  080 - 22111401

Purchase Online    dasarapark