Is Mysuru Dasara a 'Nada Habba' (state festival) or a religious observance? The political flashpoint explained

The Karnataka government's decision to invite International Booker Prize winner and Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the world-famous Mysuru Dasara festivities has snowballed into a political and cultural flashpoint with the BJP questioning the ruling Congress for overlooking the 'religious' significance of the festivities centred around the worship of a Hindu deity (Goddess Chamundeshwari).

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on August 22, extended the invitation to the writer-activist to formally inaugurate the festivities in Mysuru. But the Hindutva leaders objected to it, stating that Dasara was not a "secular" celebration but a religious one.

The saffron party also stressed the need to choose a person who has reverence for Hindu customs and faith in the Hindu deity, as the chief guest and not someone who is against idol worship. A 2023 video of Banu Mushtaq's speech at an alternative literature fest organised in protest against excluding Muslim writers from the Akhila Bharata Sahitya Sammelan went viral, adding fuel to the fire.

"You turned Kannada language into Goddess Bhvaneshwari, called it a Kannada chariot and a Kannada Jathre (temple fair). By doing so, you excluded me and the Muslim writers," Mushtaq had remarked in the video.

BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra said," She (Mushtaq) should accept Sanatan Dharma and rituals before inaugurating the festival, as Sanatan Dharma includes idol worship and offering puja to the deity. She should make her stand clear and go ahead, inaugurating the festival."

Former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha said he deeply admired Mushtaq's literary achievements, but since Dasara was a Hindu religious festival rooted in devotion to Goddess Chamundeshwari, it should be inaugurated only by someone whose beliefs alighn with the spiritual essence of the festival.

"Dasara is a religious observance and not a secular event. Previously too, writers like Baraguru Ramachandrappa and Girish Karnad were invited, though their beliefs were contrary to the spirit of Dasara. Ramachandrappa had refused to light the lamp, and Karnad was known for his hatred towards Hindu beliefs. Siddaramaiah continues to ignore the Hindu sentiments. It is not about Banu Mushtaq, but about respecting the faith of the majority," added Simha.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's remarks that Chamundi Hills, the venue for the inauguration, belonged to everyone and was "not the property" of the Hindus alone, drew flak from the BJP leaders.

BJP MP from Mysuru-Kodagu and scion of the Mysore royal family, Yaduveer Wadiyar, condemned Shivakumar's statement and said, "Chamundi betta (hills) is a Shakti Peetha, sanctified by Shastras and revered by crores of Hindus. The temple is, was and will always be the property of Hindus. While the people of Karnataka respect every religion, they will not tolerate continuous assault on Hindu festivals, traditions and temples."

Shuivakumar retorted, "Dasara is a state festival belonging to people fo all faiths. Religions should not be politicised."

Wadiyar reasserted that Dasara was the biggest cultural event of the state, and people from all religions could take part. But fundamentally, it was a "Hindu festival".

Seconding her son, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar expressed disappointment over "politics creeping into the Chamundeshwari temple".

"If Chamundeshwari temple were not to be a Hindu temple, it would not have been brought under the Murai department in the first place," charged Pramoda Devi, also stating that there was a clear distinction between the state event and the Dasara festival.

"The state government’s Dasara is a cultural celebration and any state, by its nature, cannot claim religious sanctity, 'sampradaya' (spiritual tradition), or 'parampare' (lineage) in conducting such a festival. The royal family continues to observe age-old religious rituals privately in line with customs and traditions," she said.

'Nada Habba' (state festival) or religious observance?

This year, the 11-day Dasara celebrations will begin on September 22 and culminate on October 2 (as per the lunar calendar followed by the Mysore Palace) instead of 10 days due to an extended 'Panchami' on September 26 and 27. However, the debate over the actual nature of the festival has sparked a political slugfest.

While Dasara or Navratri is a religious observance dedicated 'Shakti' (divine feminine) worshipped as Goddess Chamundeshwari or Ma Durga and her nine avatars (Navadurga), celebrating the triumph of good over evil, Dasara in Mysore is also a commemoration of the victory of Goddess Chamuneshwarai over the demon Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

The Karnataka government funds and celebrates Dasara as the 'Nada Habba' (state festival). On the first day of Dasara (September 22), the festivities will be flagged off by the chief guest (an eminent personality chosen by the government) along with the chief minister, by offering prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari, the main deity of Mysore atop the Chamundi Hills.

The celebrations

The Mysore Palace will be illuminated on all 10 days, and the festivities will be marked by classical music concerts, traditional sports (wrestling), cultural performances, food mela, drama festival and a flower show.

On 'Vijayadashami', which marks the culmination of the festivities, the chief minister and the other invitees perform the 'Nandi Dhwaja Pooja' followed by 'pushparchane' (floral tributes) to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari seated on a 750-kilo golden 'howdah' carried by the 'Ambari' elephant (tusker), in front of the Mysore Palace. The tusker will lead the five-km-long colourful 'Jamboo savari' (elephant procession) of decorated elephants, folk and cultural troupes, musical band, and tableau, a tradition from the Jayamarthanda gate at the Palace to Bannimantap grounds, the venue for the torchlight parade.

Simultaneously, the Mysore Palace will conduct various rituals and ceremonies throughout the festival, keeping the 500-year-old tradition alive. The titular head of the Mysore royal family (currently Yaduveer Waiyar) carries out several private ceremonies, which are part of the centuries-old tradition of the palace. The scion of the royal family takes a ceremonial bath, denoting his spiritual preparation to conduct the rituals. He ties a sacred band (kankana) around his wrist as a protective charm, before performing the various pujas as each day is dedicated to each of the 'Navadurgas' (nine forms of Goddess Durga). The Navagrahas—nine celestial deities—are also worshipped during the period. A spectacular private 'durbar' (a practice started in 1805) will be held every day during Dasara, when the titular head of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family will ascend the golden throne, and symbolically conduct the darbar and rituals. The event is attended by select invitees along with royal family members and guests. After the 'Saraswathi Puja' and 'Durgashtami puja', the 'Mahanavami' puja will commence with the performance of 'Chandi Homa', and the royal weapons will be taken to Sri Kodi Someshwaraswamy temple for puja. The Ayudha Puja will take place at Kalyana Mantap (in the palace), followed by the durbar.

On Vijayadashami, 'Uttara Puja' will be performed to 'Pattada'(royal) elephant, horse, cow and royal weapons, followed by 'Vijaya Yatre' (victory tour) with the Pattada Katti (royal sword) and 'Shammi puja' (worshipping the Banni tree) to conclude the festivities. The private ceremony reinforces the royal family's commitment to preserving the historical and cultural legacy of Mysuru.

History of Mysuru Dasara

The Mysuru Dasara was started by Raja Wadiar in 1610, and assumed the status of Nada Habba in the 970s. Earlier patronised by the Vijayanagara kings (1136 to 1565 CE) and later by the Wadiyars of Mysore, the festival reached the peak of its glory during the rule of Nalwadi Krishnaraj Wadiyar, a revered king. The king used to sit on the golden howdah on top of the lead elephant during the procession, which was later replaced by the local deity Goddess Chamundeshwari being carried on the golden howdah.

While this is not the first time that a non-Hindu has been invited to inaugurate the festivities, as Kananda poet Nisar Ahmed inaugurated it in 207, resistance to Banu Mushtaq inaugurating the festival by right-wing groups is because of her activism and her being part of the Leftist groups, which started 'Mahisha Dasara' as a counter to the traditional Dasara festival. The group believes that Mahishasura was a Dalit king and it was the conspiracy of the upper caste Aryans from North India to portray Mahisha as a demon king.