Dasara Festival in Coorg

Dasara/Janotsava or Vijaydashmi, as it is known to be in northern states of India, is a time of the year in Madikeri when the gung ho crowd enshrouds in gaiety and fun to celebrate good over evil. This ten days festival is celebrated in the months of September and October with full fervour. A splashy festival, Madikeri Dasara seconds the Mysore Dasara in the state of Karnataka.

Celebrated uniquely with decorated tabloos (dasha mantapa), singers, local games, cultural events, folklore enactment and songs, Madikeri Dasara is most colour filled festival of Kodagu celebrated during evening till morning, unlike Mysore Dasara.

A whole lot of preparations are done before the festivities. The Kodagu Cultural Committee organises cultural programmes such as orchestra programmes and cultural activities at several places in the district. Idols based on many historical and mythological figures are built and worshipped during the ten days. The first day of Dasara commences with a celebration of Mariamma Karagas—people/priests who carry the idols of Gods and Goddesses on their shaven heads, as in a procession. Before the day, the Karagas observe a disciplined schedule that includes hygiene and tapas. During the procession, the Karagas do not face each other as it is considered to be an ominous sign. Interestingly enough, the idols are never put on the ground except for the temple.

As the festival nears its last day, it gets all the more live with band, orchestra, dancers and traditional folklores.

Truly, Dasara is the best time to visit Madikeri.