Dasara is also known as the 'Navaratri', where nine days of worship & celebration culminate on the 10th day, known as Vijaydashami'. This has been declared as a Naada Habba or state festival.
Legend has it that the resident demon of Mysore, known as ‘Mahishasura’ was slain by the goddess in the avatar of Chamundeshwari. The name Mysore is derived from this demon. Hence, Vijayadashami is celebrated symbolically as the win of good over evil.
On the first day, the King, after a ceremonial bath, worships the family deity in the palace and enters the durbar. He worships the navagrahas (nine sacred planets) and the sacred kalasa, and then ascends the throne at an auspicious moment.
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