Hey.
Starting from yesterday, it's Navaratri-Dasara Festivals. We all are experiencing the disruption in the routine life at many levels-no school/college, no Office, no travel, no mass entertainment; no visit to neighbours, no friendly visits to relatives and friends during festivals, not even if there is illness or death of people who are dear to us. All these changes make all of us wonder whether there is meaning to all the cultural festivities we have celebrated all these years. Obviously, the festivals imbued us all with certain strength-physical, psychological, philosophical and spiritual. Equally strengthening effect of the festival is on the emotional well-being of the person and the community.
And one more casualty to the COVID 19 is the flamboyant Dasara Procession. Here are some interesting myth and history of the Mysore Dasara Festival.
This is that one time when Mysore is festival ready-this is perhaps one time, apart from Rama Navami festival-- when the city is awake and bright. People familiar with Mysore know well that it is quite a slow-paced city. For the native of Mysore, it is beautifully slow-paced, for Bangaloreans, it is intolerably slow-paced and if its some one like my teacher Dr K C Belliappa, they would call it 'ಹಳ್ಳಿ ಮೈಸೂರು'-lit-Village Mysore😂.
The ಸ್ಥಳ ಪುರಾಣ or the mythological story of the place is that the city, at one point of time in Ancient India, was ruled by 'Mahisha' (the buffalo king). Thus the name was 'ಮಹಿಷ ಪುರಿ' 'Mahisha puri'. This may, over the time, in the colloquial vocabulary, have become ಮೈಸೂರು/ Mysore. Perhaps, the city has acquired a lot of the quality of being sluggish from its king-Mahisha. But, maybe, in this era which is fascinated by the quality of being superfast, Mysore has its own statement to make on behalf of being sluggish!!
Apart from this myth, there are interesting historical facts about the Dasara Festivities held in the Royal Palace, organised by the Royal Family of Wodeyars. Here is a sneak-peak into the history of Mysore Dasara.
This celebration was begun by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th Century. But with the disintegration of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th Century, many allied/vassal states declared their independence to become independent rulers. One such vassal state was the Kindgom of Mysore. Under The kingship of Narasaraja Wodeyar I in 1638 and Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar in 1773, the Mysore Kingdom expanded to be recognised as the Princely State of Mysore. Though political independence was achieved, the Wodeyars wanted to continue to commemorate their connection with the Vijayanagara Empire. Prabuddha Karnataka, a print journal has a detailed and authentic description of the Dasara procession in Mysore.
Apart from these meta-celebrations, Navaratri is synonymous with Gombe Habba (lit. festival of Dolls). This was initiated by Raja Wodeyar in the 16th C. A large part of the Mysore Palace was assigned for arranging dolls, called as-Gombe Thotti (lit. Pavilion for dolls). Here, the royal women used to arrange the dolls and worship the ‘Pattada Bombe’ (lit. the royal doll). The Pattada Bombe is made of Sandal wood and bought from Tirupathi, made by specialized artisans.
This arranging of dolls at home is of special interest. Women and children arrange their collection of dolls creatively. And neighbours visit each other-without any formal invite. Children especially are special guests and are treated with special respect. They are given sweets and other gifts. The gifts are a mark of respect for the children who are believed to be representing the Goddess Durga. This feeling of importance translates itself into rare self-confidence. The respect and affection received as children during these days leave a deep sense of security that converts into strength as one enters adulthood.
From yesterday, many homes are celebrating this very unique 'Gombe Habba'. It is a pleasure when friends and family share this festival on the watsapp. Hopefully, we will continue to celebrate this togetherness, inspite and despite all obstacles. This, perhaps, is the quintessential spirit of Navaratri-winning of the good over the evil.
HAPPY NAVARATRI TO ALL MY DEAR READERS.
Do share your expriences of the festival👇
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