The nine-day world famous Mysore Dasara festival began on September 27, with the renowned scientist Prof C N R Rao inaugurating the celebrations at the Chamundi Hills by offering prayers to the deity Chamundeshwari.

This formal inauguration is followed with the opening of the 75-day Dasara exhibition, wrestling tournament, film festival, where vintage Kannada movies will be screened in the four theatres, flower show and music festival.

The celebrations come to a close on October 5, with a spectacular Dasara procession around the city.

During the festival, the city turns into a fairyland when the heritage buildings, which are aplenty, are aesthetically illuminated. But the main attraction will be the magnificent palace, the imposing 91-years- old structure that is literally bathed in nearly a lakh bulbs, presenting a spectacle that will be cherished by the beholder for ages.

The administration has left no stone unturned to make this year's festival a memorable one.

The palace is the venue for all cultural activities and religious rituals connected with Dasara, since it has been associated with the glorious past of the Wodeyar dynasty, who ruled the state for over three centuries.

Yuvaraja Srikantha Datta Narasimha Raj Wodeyar, son of Shri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, calls the shots in the religious aspect of the festival, while the state government takes the responsibility to conduct the cultural programmes and the Dasara exhibition.

The history of Dasara celebration in Mysore dates back to the days of Raja Wodeyar in the year 1610. Before that, it was celebrated in Vijayanagar dynasty, which was founded by Hakka and Bukka. Raja Wodeyar came out of Vijayanagar Empire and declared himself as an independent ruler. The Vijayanagar viceroy Srirangaraya gave him the golden throne, which embellishes the turquoise blue- painted Amba Vilas of the Mysore palace during Dasara.

Raja Wodeyar ascended this throne in 1610 with all pomp and pageantry at Srirangapatna, and inaugurated the Dasara festivities.

The throne is said to have belonged to Yudhishtira of Mahabharata. He brought it from Hastinapura to Anegondi or Hampi, the erstwhile capital of Vijayanagar Empire.

According to historical records, in A D 1327, Kampiliraya fought a fierce battle with Muhammed-bin- Tuglak, and died. However, Tughlak was not able to find the throne. Saint Vidyaranya Tirtha, who was also the pontiff of Sringeri Sharada Peetha, aided him in hiding the throne from the Muslim invaders. It was then given to Harihara (1337-57) of Vijayanagar, who salvaged it.

The throne was in the possession of the Vijayanagar rulers for nearly one-and-a-half centuries, and on the decline of Vijayanagar Empire, its Viceroy brought it to Srirangapatna. It was with Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan from 1761 to 1799 AD and was restored to Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1799, after the demise of Tipu.

On the first day of Navarathri, the golden throne is placed in the Amba Vilas. After worshipping the throne, the king circumambulates the throne thrice; bows to the Goddess of the throne, and ascends it amidst Vedic hymns and to the accompaniment of gunfire. The king and the queen observe total austerity for 10 days.

On the 10th day, Vijayadasami, which symbolises the triumph of the righteous over evil forces, the venue for festivities shifts from Amba Vilas to Kalyana Mantap in the morning and in the evening to the palace ground and Bannimantap (Garden stage).

Just below the panel carrying the mural painting of Ayudha puja, weapons like the swords, bayonets and guns are placed against the wall, which is covered with a velvet curtain, and decorated with garlands. The king, seating himself on a silver chair, performs the puja.

In the courtyard overlooking the Kalyana Mantap on the Northern side, a wrestling combat takes place. Then the king led by his retinue gets into the silver chariot for the procession to Trinayaneswarar temple near the Northern gate of the palace.

In the vanguard of the procession are the golden palanquin carrying the weapons worshipped in Ayudha Puja, caparisoned and decorated elephants, camels and music party comprising 'nadaswaram' and band. After worship in the temple, the procession returns to the palace.

In the afternoon, the procession begins from the Southern gate of the palace and ends at Bannimantap late in the evening. The highlight of the procession is the carrying of icon of Chamundeshwari, the family deity of Wodeyars, in the golden howdah on a caparisoned tusker.

Finally, as the procession peters out, 'Nandi Dhwaja Puja' is performed to Goddess Chamundeshwari in the 'ambari' (howdah), which would be carried by the elephant Balarama this year.