Dussera is celebrated for 10 days from September end to early October.
Although it is celebrated all over India, it has special significance
in Mysore, South India. It symbolizes the victory of goddess Chamundeswari
(Durga) over the demon Mahishasura. i.e. the victory of the good over
the evil. Mysore palace is fully illuminated for a whole month. On the
last day, with the accompaniment of a band colourfully bedecked elephant
carrying the statue of goddess starts from the palace as a procession
with palace chariots and units of the army through the city to Banni Mantap
(where Banni tree is worshipped), about five kilometres away. In the evening,
there is a torchlight parade by the horse mounted guards who provide an
exciting display of horsemanship and the night ends with a great display
of fireworks.
