Origin of Mysuru Dasara / Vijayadashami or Why is Dasara celebrated or what is the significance of Vijayadashami

Dasara was originally initiated by Kampilaraya’s son, Gandugali Kumara Rama, who served as the leader of Kampilarajya. This festival was historically perceived as an occasion for kings to display their military power and strength, especially to Ghia Sud Din Tuglaq, the senior figure in the lineage of Mohd Bin Tuglaq. The celebration later progressed to Anegundi, where it was continued by the descendants of Kumara Rama’s sisters, Hakka and Bukka, ultimately reaching Vijayanagar, where it persisted for over three centuries. The festivities were notably held at Mahanavami Dibba in Hampi, where the king would observe the grand procession, which included demonstrations of an army comprising 100,000 soldiers. The Vijayanagara kings utilized these displays to signal their might to rivals, such as the Adilshahi, Bahamani, and Hyderabad sultans, which included exhibiting an array of artillery, some of which were even acquired from the Portuguese. The origin of Vijayadashami can be traced back to the Mahabharata, particularly during the period of the Pandavas during their Agnatavyasa. During this time, they concealed their arms by binding them to a Banni tree for a year. Upon their return, they performed a ritual to honour the tree and retrieved their weapons, which later evolved into the tradition of current-day Ayudha Pooja. This act served as preparation for their imminent conflict with the Kauravas; thus, the day following Ayudha Pooja, which is Dashami, marks what is now recognized as Vijayadashami. This historical significance continues to be reflected in contemporary practices, as the Maharaja still offers ceremonial worship to the Banni tree, symbolizing triumph in various endeavours. Currently, the rituals include honouring the deities over nine days: three days for Lakshmi Pooja, followed by three days dedicated to Saraswati Pooja and culminating in another three days celebrating Parvathi or Shakti Devi. After the conclusion of the Anglo-Mysore War in 1799, actual warfare ceased, prompting the Mysore kings to modify the Dasara into a ceremonial observance in which the king would proceed to the Banni tree for worship. The concept of war/fight has now become symbolic, as exemplified by the Vajra Mushti Kalaga (wrestling), an event that’s conducted within the palace grounds during every Dasara, reflecting the spirit of competition that was once associated with armed conflict.

Devagiri, known today as Daulatabad in Maharashtra, was formerly under the reign of a King named Rama Chandra Deva. In 1290, Allaudin Khilji launched an assault on Rama Chandra Deva, leading to the obliteration of his kingdom. Prior to this attack, Rama Chandra Deva entrusted his wealth and treasures to his military commander, Mummudi Singenayaka, imploring him to safeguard these items and establish a kingdom of his own. Among the significant possessions that Mummudi Singenayaka carried were the Golden Throne and the Ambari. Mummudi Singenayaka’s progeny, Kampilaraya, faced a fourth assault from Ghia Sud Din Tuglaq, which culminated in the devastation of Kampili Raya in 1328. Nonetheless, his son, Gandugali Kumara Rama, succeeded in founding a kingdom in Angundi, which he subsequently bequeathed to his nephews, Hakka and Bukka. During this period, the Golden Throne and Ambari transitioned from Kampili to Anegundi. By 1336, the Vijayanagara Empire emerged as a formidable power, exerting influence for over 300 years. It was a time when observers from India and beyond marvelled at the opulent celebrations of Dasara in Anegundi. Preceding the 1565 Battle of Talikota, Sadashivaraya, the reigning king of the Vijayanagara Empire, alongside his son-in-law Rama Raya, dispatched considerable wealth to the southern regions of Tirupati and Pennukonda, the latter serving as the second capital of the empire. This event marked the relocation of the Golden Throne and Ambari to Penukonda. However, continuous incursions by the Deccan Sultanates necessitated further relocation of these treasures during the early 1600s, ultimately moving to Srirangapattana, which remained under Vijayanagara control and was governed by a representative of the king named Tirumalaraya. The collapse of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1565 at the Battle of Talikota resulted in the autonomy of all territories previously governed by the empire, including the establishment of the Mysore kingdom. 

In 1610, Raja Wodeyar, the 9th King of the Wodeyar dynasty, launched an assault on Srirangapattana and Tirumalaraya, successfully seizing the territory along with its considerable riches, which notably included the Golden Throne and the Ambari. Furthermore, in 1613, Raja Wodeyar sought to extend the influence of the Wodeyar dynasty, selecting Srirangapattana as the new capital in place of Mysore. This decision was influenced by the recognition of Srirangapattana as a pivotal commercial and transactional center during that era, making it an advantageous location for trade. It was also during this period that Raja Wodeyar opted to formally continue the Dasara celebrations, marking the year 1613 as the beginning of Dasara festivities in Mysore.