Nation celebrates Dussehra today

The festival of Dussehra symbolizing the victory of truth over untruth and good or evil is being celebrated on Sunday; effigies of Ravana, Meghnada and Kumbhakarna will be consigned to flames at many places. The idols of Devi Durga will also be immersed in various rivers, lakes and ponds across the country. In Ayodhya, Kanak Bhavan, Hanuman Garhi and other famous temples have been colourfully decorated. The festivities of Mysore Dushehra culminate on Sunday on Vijaydashmi, the tenth day with a Jumbo savari or elephant parade on the streets of Mysore.
Though 'Navaratri' is celebrated throughout the country, the private durbar by scion of the Mysore Royal Family and former MP Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, the golden throne, the caparisoned elephants, and the illuminated palace with its array of cultural programmes have combined to make Dasara in Mysore an unique experience. The main attraction is the colourful procession led by caparisoned Ambari Elephant named ‘Balarama', that carry the principal deity of the Mysore City Sri Chamundeswari in a Golden howdah weighing over 750 kgs. The Governor Hans Raj Bharadwaj, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa and his Council of Ministers will be present on this occasion.