What is special about Mysuru Dasarā, and how do Kannada homes celebrate Navarātri?

Mysuru honours Goddess Cāmuṇḍeśvarī with the Jambū Savārī procession, while homes set up a bombe habba doll display and do Āyudha pūjā.

Dasarā is Karnataka’s Nāḍa Habba, the state festival. In Mysuru it celebrates Goddess Cāmuṇḍeśvarī, worshipped on Cāmuṇḍi Hill as the slayer of the demon Mahiṣāsura, from whom the city takes its name. For ten days the palace is lit with thousands of bulbs, and on Vijayadaśamī the Jambū Savārī procession carries the Goddess in a golden howdah on a decorated elephant through the city.

At home, many Kannada families arrange the bombe habba or gombe: steps covered with dolls of gods, saints, weddings and village life, often including an old pair of king-and-queen dolls, the paṭṭada gombe, handed down through generations. Children visit neighbours to see the displays and receive sweets.

On Mahānavamī, Āyudha pūjā honours tools, vehicles, books and instruments of work, and on Vijayadaśamī children often begin new learning. Sarasvatī pūjā is also kept during these days.

Nāḍa Habba — Karnataka’s state festival · Source: common practice in Karnataka

Dharma Q&A — Jyotiṣa, scriptures & modern life · Ask a Jyotishi your own question