The origin of the "festival of dolls" dates back to the period of Raja Wadiyar who ruled Mysore region during the 16th century. The practice commenced during the Dasara festivities and initially, the idol of Goddess Gowri was worshipped for nine days.

It evolved to became a festival of dolls by the 18th century when the Mysore royalty started putting up neatly arranged dolls along with the idol of Goddess Gowri.



This festival is closely related to Dasara festivities as it signifies the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga.

Dolls are arranged on nine steps according to the hierarchy, and each one of them is dedicated to each incarnation. Goddess Durga took the form of Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kooshmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Maha Gowri and Siddiratri to destroy evil forces including Mahishasura, Madukaitaka, Shumba-Rishamba and others.

As the interest in the festival grew, the Wadiyar dynasty started arranging dolls at the palace, which came to be referred to as "Gombe Totti" or "dolls' pavilion." It boasted of a good collection of dolls and artefacts from various countries and became popular.

The festival became popular after officials in the royal service started the practice of arranging dolls at home during "Navaratri."

Display of skills

At a time when entertainment was limited for women, the doll festival gave them a chance to display their artistic skills.

"Pattada bombe," the doll given to daughters when they are married off, occupied place of pride in the arrangement.

The Dussehra of Mysore or Mysore Dassara as it is famously called is a 10-day long festival. On the day of Dussehra, a procession of caparisoned elephants carrying the idol of goddess Chamundi is taken through the city.

While most parts of India celebrate Dussehra in commemoration of Lord Rama's victory over the demon-king Ravana, Karnataka celebrates it in honour of Goddess Chamundeswari who killed the great demon, Mahishasura.

The festival is celebrated in a grand style with scores of cultural performances in the great Durbar Hall of the Maharaja's Palace.

Caparisoned elephants marching together in a procession are a unique feature of the Mysore Dassara. The festival is celebrated with a lot of pomp and show. On Vijaydashami, the 10th day of the festival, a colourful procession featuring caparisoned elephants winding through the gaily-decorated streets of the city, mark the occasion.

The procession of mounted guardsmen on horse back and decorated elephants, one carrying the palace deity, Chamundeshwari, on a gold 'howdah' marches from the palace to the Banni Mantap.

There is also a floating festival in the temple tank at the foot of Chamundi Hill and a procession of chariots around the temple at the top. A torch light parade takes place in the evening followed by a massive firework display and much jubilation on the streets.

Kaala Bhairava - The Lord of the March of Time

Lord Bhairav is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Kalabhairava is the Lord of the March of Time. The Sanskrit meaning of the word ‘Bhairava’ is ‘Terrible’ or ‘Frightful’.
Kaala Bhairav Ashtakam composed by Shri Adi Shankaracharya is devoted to in Kaal Bhairav.

Bhairav is a fierce form of Lord Shiva and worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists alike.
It is believed that Kalabhairava would solve most of the problems which are pending for a long time.

Those who wish to improve their time management skills also may worship him.
Persons having malefic planets in the birth lagna (time) or n transit is effective to reduce their negative effects. According to Indian Astrology worshipping Bhairav is also helpful for those suffering from the malefic effects of Rahu in the horoscope.

Bhairava Mantras

" Hrim vatukaya apadudharanaya kuru kuru batukaya hrim."

“Om hreem vam vatukaaya Aapaduddharanaya vatukaaya hreem”

“Om Hraam Hreem Hroom Hrime Hroum Ksham Kshetrapaalaaya Kaala Bhairavaaya Namaha”

Kala Bhairava Gayatri Mantra

Om Kaalakaalaaya Vidhmahey Kaalaatheethaaya dheemahi Thanno Kaala Bhairava Prachodhayaath.



Kalabhairavashtakam :

Deva raja sevya mana pavangri pankajam, Vyala yagna suthra mindu shekaram krupakaram, Naradadhi yogi vrundha vandhitham digambaram, Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 1

Bhanu koti bhaswaram, bhavabdhi tharakam param, Neelakanda meepsidartha dayakam trilochanam, Kalakala mambujaksha maksha soola maksharam, Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 2

Soola tanga pasa danda pani madhi karanam, Syama kaya madhi devamaksharam niramayam, Bheema vikramam prabhum vichithra thandava priyam, Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 3

Bhukthi mukthi dayakam prasashtha charu vigraham, Bhaktha vatsalam shivam* , samastha loka vigraham, Vinikwanan manogna hema kinkini lasath kateem, Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 4

Dharma sethu palakam, thwa dharma marga nasakam, Karma pasa mochakam , susharma dayakam vibhum, Swarna varna sesha pasa shobithanga mandalam, Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 5

Rathna padukha prabhabhirama padayugmakam, Nithyamadwidheeyamishta daivatham niranjanam, Mrutyu darpa nasanam karaladamshtra mokshanam, Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 6

Attahasa binna padma janda kosa santhatheem, Drushti pada nashta papa jala mugra sasanam, Ashtasidhi dayakam kapala malikadaram, Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 7

Bhootha sanga nayakam, vishala keerthi dayakam, Kasi vasa loka punya papa shodhakam vibum, Neethi marga kovidham purathanam jagatpathim, Kasika puradhi nadha Kalabhairavam bhaje. 8

Kalabhairavashtakam patanthi yea manoharam, Jnana mukthi sadhanam , vichithra punya vardhanam, Soka moha dainya lopa kopa thapa nasanam, Thea prayanthi Kalabhairavangri saniidhim druvam. 9


Chant the mantra for GOOD time management

Aditya Hridayam Stotra,


Aditya Hridayam Stotra, is the powerful Vedic hymns addressed to Lord Surya (the Sun God). Aditya Hridayam verses are found in 107th chapter of Yudha Kanda in the great epic The Ramayana, written by Valmiki.

Lord Rama (Ramachander) becomes exhausted after the long battle with various fighters in order to rescue Sita Devi, who was earlier kidnapped from Ravana. At this time Sage Agastya (Agasthya) approaches to Lord Sri Ram and teaches the greatness and advantages of worshiping Lord Surya for strength and defeating the enemies. Sage Agasthya teaches Lord Rama the great Aditya Hridayam and Shri Rama was capable of easily defeating Ravana after reciting the stotra.


Aditya Hridayam Stotra Lyrics - Adithya Hrudaya Stotram

Thatho yudha parisrantham samare chinthaya sthitham,
Ravanam chagratho drushtwa yudhaya samupasthitham. 1

Daivathischa samagamya drushtu mabhya gatho ranam,
Upagamyabraveed ramam Agasthyo Bhagawan rishi. 2

Rama rama maha baho srunu guhyam sanathanam,
Yena sarvaanareen vatsa samare vijayishyasi. 3

Adithya hrudayam punyam, sarva sathru vinasanam,
Jayavaham japen nithyam akshayyam paramam shubham. 4

Sarva mangala mangalyam, sarva papa pranasanam,
Chinthasoka prasamanam, ayur vardhanamuthamam. 5

Rasmi mantham samudhyantham devasura namaskrutham,
Poojayaswa vivaswantham bhaskaram bhuvaneshwaram. 6

Sarva devathmako hyesha tejaswai rasmi bhavana,
Esha devasura ganan lokan pathi gabasthibhi. 7

Esha brahma cha Vishnuscha Shiva skanda prajapathi,
Mahendro, dhandha kalo yama somo hyapam pathi. 8

Pitharo vasava sadhya hyaswinou marutho, manu,
Vayur vahni praja prana ruthu hartha prabhakara. 9

Adithya savitha soorya khaga poosha gabasthiman,
Suvarna sadrusa bhanu, hiranya retha divakara. 10

Haridaswa sahasrarchi saptha sapthir mareechiman,
Thimironmadhana shambhu thwashtwa marthanda amsuman. 11

Hiranya garbha shisira thapano bhaskaro ravi,
Agni garbha adithe puthra sanka shisira nasana. 12

Vyomanadha sthamobhedi rig yajur sama paraga,
Ghana vrushtirapam mithro vindhya veedhi plavangama. 13

Aathapee mandali mruthyu pingala sarva thapana,
Kavir viswo maha thejaa raktha sarvodbhava. 14

Nakshtra gruha tharanam adhipo, viswa bhaavana,
Thejasam aphi thejaswi dwadasathman namosththe. 15

Nama poorvaya giraye, paschimaya draye nama,
Jyothirgananam pathaye dhinadhipathaye nama. 16

Jayaya jaya bhadraya haryaswaya namo nama,
Namo nama sahasramso Adithyaya namo nama. 17

Nama ugraya veeraya sarangaya namo nama,
Nama padma prabhodaya, marthandaya namo nama. 18

Brhamesanachuthesaya sooryadhithya varchase,
Bhaswathe sarva bhakshaya roudraya vapushe nama 19

Thmognaya himagnaya sathrugnaya amithathmane,
Kruthagnagnaya devaya jyothisham pathaye nama. 20

Taptha chamikarabhaya vahnaye viswa karmane,
Namasthomabhinignaya ruchaye loka sakshine. 21

Naasa yatyesha vai bhootham tadeva srujathi prabha,
Payathyesha thapathyesha varshatyesha gabhasthibhi. 22

Yesha suptheshu jagarthi bhootheshu parinishtitha,
Yesha evagnihothram cha phalam chaivagnihothrinam. 23.

Vedascha kradavaschaiva krathoonam phalameva cha,
Yani kruthyani lokeshu sarva yesha ravi prabhu. 24

Yena mapathsu kruchreshu kanthareshu bhayeshu cha,
Keerthayan Purusha kaschin aavaseedhathi raghava. 25

Poojaswaikegro deva devam jagat pathim,
Ethath trigunitham japthwa yudeshu vijayishyasi. 26

Asmin kshane maha baaho ravanam thwam vadhishyasi,
Evamukthwaa agasthyo jagam yada gatham. 27

Edath sruthwa maha theja nashta shoka abhavath thada,
Dharayamasa supreetho raghava prayathathmavaan. 28

Adhithya prekshya japthwa thu param harsha mavapthavan,
Thrirachamya suchir bhoothwa dhanuradhaaya veeryavaan. 29

Ravanam preshya hrushtathma yudhaya samupagamath,
Sarva yathnena mahatha vadhe thasya drutho bhavath. 30

Adharavira vadha nireekshya ramam,
Mudhithamana paramam prahrushyamana,
Nisicharapathi samkshyam vidhithwa,
Sura gana Madhya gatho vachasthwarethi. 31


REDCITE EVERYDAY TO ATTAIN SUCCESS IN ALL YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Mysore Dasara

Dasara is the Nadahabba (state-festival) of the state of Karnataka. It is also called as Navaratri (Nava-ratri = nine-nights) and is a 10-day festival with the last day being Vijayadashami, the most auspicious day of Dasara. Dasara usually falls in the month of September or October. According to a legend, Vijayadashami denotes the victory of truth over evil and was the day when the Hindu Goddess Chamundeshwari killed the demon Mahishasura. Mahishasura is the demon from whose name; the name Mysore has been derived. The city of Mysore has a long tradition of celebrating the Dasara festival and the festivities here are an elaborate affair and attract a large audience including foreigners.

Festivities

The Dasara festivities were first started by the Vijayanagar Kings in 15th Century, after the fall of Vijayanagar Kingdom, The Wodeyar's of Mysore continued the Dasara Festival by, Raja Wodeyar I (1578-1617 CE) in the year 1610[1]. The Mysore Palace is lit up on all the 10 days of Dasara. The festivities begin with the Wodeyar royal couple performing a special puja to Goddess Chamundeshwari in the Chamundi Temple located on the top of Chamundi Hill at Mysore. This would be followed by a special durbar (royal assembly). It was during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in the year 1805, when the king started the tradition of having a special durbar in the Mysore Palace during Dasara; which was attended by members of the royal family, special invitees, officials and the masses. This tradition has been continued even now with the current scion of the Wodeyar family, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar holding a private durbar during Dasara. The ninth day of Dasara called as Mahanavami is also an auspicious day on which the royal sword is worshipped and is taken on a procession involving elephants, camels and horses[2].

On Vijayadashami, the traditional Dasara procession (locally known as Jumboo Savari) is held on the streets of Mysore city. The main attraction of this procession is the idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari which is placed on a golden mantapa on the top of a decorated elephant. This idol is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees before it is taken around in the procession. Colourful tableaux, dance groups, music bands, decorated elephants, horses and camels form a part of the procession which starts from the Mysore Palace and culminates at a place called Bannimantap where the banni tree (Prosopis spicigera) is worshipped. According to a legend of the Mahabharata, banni tree was used by the Pandavas to hide their arms during their one-year period of Agnatavasa (living life incognito). Before undertaking any warfare, the kings traditionally worshipped this tree to help them emerge victorious in the war[2]. The Dasara festivities would culminate on the night of Vijayadashami with an event held in the grounds at Bannimantap called as Panjina Kavayatthu (torch-light parade).

Another major attraction during Dasara is the Dasara exhibition which is held in the exhibition grounds opposite to the Mysore Palace. This exhibition starts during Dasara and goes on till December. Various stalls which sell items like clothes, plastic items, kitchenware, cosmetics and eatables are set up and they attract a significant number of people. A play area containing attractions like Ferris wheel is also present to provide entertainment to the people. Various Governmental agencies setup stalls to signify the achievements and projects that they have undertaken.

Visit MYSORE to view the GRAND DASARA celebrations

sloka

sloka

Jai Ganesh Deva Lyrics,-with English Translation

Jai Ganesh Deva is a beautiful lovely devotional bhajan song dedicated to Lord Ganesha (Ganapathi).
English Meaning of Jai Ganesh Deva is given in Italics after the Lyrics.

Jai Ganesh Deva Devotional Song Lyrics

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva
Mata jaki Parvati, pita Mahadeva.

Glory to You, O Lord Ganesha!
Born of Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, and the great Shiva.

Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari
Mathe par tilak sohe, muse ki savari
Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva
Ladduan ka bhog lage, sant kare seva.

O Lord of compassion, You bear a single tusk, four arms,
A vermilion mark of on your forehead, and ride on a mouse.
People offer you betel leaves, blossoms, fruits
And sweets, while saints and seers worship You.

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva,
Mata jaki Parvati, pita Mahadeva...

Glory to You, O Lord Ganesha!
Born of Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, and the great Shiva.

Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya
Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya
Surya shaam sharan aye, safal kije seva.

You bestow vision on the blind, chastened body on the leprous,
Children to the sterile, and wealth on the destitute.
We pray to Thee day and night, please bestow success upon us.

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva,
Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva...

Glory to You, O Lord Ganesha!
Born of Parvati, daughter of the Himalayas, and the great Shiva