- By Kashish Rai
- Tue, 30 Sep 2025 01:37 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Mysore Dasara 2025, or Nada Habba is a 10-day extravaganza in Karnataka, India that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, marking Goddess Chamundeshwari's victory over the demon Mahishasura, who gave Mysuru its name. The festival begins with nine nights of Navaratri, culminating in Vijayadashami, observed on the tenth day of Ashvina. The tradition honours warriors and the state fighting for good, featuring rituals, cultural events and a grand procession with decorated elephants, horses and the goddess. The Wadiyar dynasty has been celebrating Mysore Dasara with grandeur since the 15th century, when Vijayanagara Empire kings also observed the festivities in Karnataka.
Check out all the important details regarding the date, significance and rituals for Mysore Dasara or Nada Habba in Karnataka below:
Mysore Dasara 2025: Date And Time
This year, Mysore Dasara or Nada Habba will be observed on 2nd October 2025, Thursday. Dashami tithi begins at 07:01 PM on 1st October 2025 and ends at 07:10 PM on 2nd October 2025.
Mysore Dasara 2025: Vijaya Muhuratam
The Dasara Vijaya Muhuratam is from 02:13 PM to 03:01 PM.
Additionally, the Mysore Dasara Aparahna Kaal Muhuratam is from 01:25 PM to 03:49 PM.
Mysore Dasara 2025: Significance
The Dasara festivities have a rich history dating back to the 14th-15th century, when they were celebrated with grandeur in the Vijayanagara Empire. The festival, known as Mahanavami, was a significant event that showcased athletic competitions, singing, dancing, fireworks and a majestic military parade. The Italian traveller Niccolò de' Conti described the festival's intensity and importance, highlighting its religious and martial significance. The celebrations revered Durga as the warrior goddess, Chamundeshwari, and featured charitable giving to the public, demonstrating the empire's cultural and spiritual heritage.
After the Vijayanagara Empire fell to the Deccan Sultanates, the Hindu celebrations ceased under Muslim rule. However, the Wodeyars of Mysore revived the tradition, and Raja Wodeyar I initiated the Mahanavami (Dasara) festival celebration in 1610 at Srirangapatna. The Wodeyars continued to celebrate the festival with grandeur, preserving the cultural heritage of the Vijayanagara Empire. Today, the Mysore Dasara is a testament to the region's rich history and cultural traditions, attracting visitors from around the world with its vibrant festivities and majestic processions.
Mysore Dasara is a 10-day festival celebrating Goddess Chamundeshwari's victory over evil, featuring grand processions, rituals and cultural events. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Mysore Dasara 2025: Rituals
The Mysore Dasara festivities feature a special durbar, a tradition started by Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1805, where members of the royal family, officials and the masses gather. The ninth day, Mahanavami, is auspicious, with the royal sword being worshipped and taken on a procession with elephants, camels and horses. The Mysore Palace is illuminated daily with nearly 100,000 light bulbs, and cultural programs showcasing Karnataka's dance, music and culture are performed. The festivities showcase the region's rich heritage and traditions, attracting visitors from around the world with their grandeur and splendour.
The traditional Dasara procession, Jumboo Savari, takes place on Vijayadashami, featuring the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari on a golden mantapa atop a decorated elephant. The procession includes colourful tableaux, dance groups, music bands and decorated elephants, horses and camels. It culminates at Bannimantap, where the Banni tree is worshipped, symbolising the Pandavas' hiding their weapons during Agnatavasa. The procession is a testament to the region's rich cultural heritage, with the goddess being worshipped by the royal couple and invitees before the procession. The event is a grand display of Karnataka's traditions and customs.
The Dasara festivities conclude with a torchlight parade at Bannimantap, showcasing the region's rich cultural heritage. The Dasara exhibition, started in 1880, is another major attraction, featuring stalls selling various items, a play area and governmental agency stalls. The exhibition is now entrusted to the Karnataka Exhibition Authority and runs till December, attracting a significant number of people. The event provides a platform for people to experience the region's culture and traditions, with various music and dance concerts being held in auditoriums around Mysore city, featuring musicians and dance groups from all over India.
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The Dasara celebrations also feature a wrestling bout, Kusti Spardhe, attracting wrestlers from across India. Bike parades and other events are held at Bannimantap, adding to the festivities. The event is a grand display of Karnataka's cultural heritage, with the Mysore Dasara being a testament to the region's rich traditions and customs.
(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)