Let the festivities begin: Mysuru palace decked up for Dasara festival today

It is that time of a year again, when this palace city gets decked up for annual 10 day long celebrations, playing host to a plethora of religious and cultural events, to keep up the traditions of celebrating Dasara or Navaratri festival that began in 1610.

Celebrated as 'Nada Habba' (state festival), the festivities will be a grand affair this year depicting Karnataka's rich culture and traditions, coupled with reminiscence of royal pomp and glory. Dasara, considered to be one of the biggest and most important festivals of the region, grew as a festival of masses under the royal patronage of the then Mysuru dynasty; continuing with the traditions, it is being celebrated under the auspices of the Government of Karnataka, after India became independent and republic.