An exceptional art form, the tiger dance is performed by the enthusiastic people of Mangalore during the festivals Dussehra and Sri Krishna Janmashtami. Both the young and old people of Mangalore take part in this popular and unique folk dance. The participants wear tiger mask, paint several layers of stripes on their body with yellow, brown, black and red colours and dance vigorously according to the drumbeats. In local lingo, tiger dance is known as Pili vesha or Huli vesha. As per the Hindu mythology, tiger is considered as the favoured carrier of Goddess Durga and hence this dance is performed on Dussehra to pay homage to the Goddess. Earlier, tiger dance is performed on the whole 10 days of the Dussehra celebration.