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India.com
2 days ago
- General
- India.com
The Myths And Legends Behind Mysore City's Rich Heritage
Mysore serves as a respected city in the Karnataka southern region of India because of its unique cultural elements along with its spectacular buildings and lively folk traditions. Mysore maintained its position as a royal city since people commonly call it 'City of Palaces.' An intricate network of native legends and myths exists within Mysore City which formed the essential components of its identity development. Most people in the community have deep beliefs regarding these tales which guide their usual activities and cultural traditions. Legend of Mahishasura: The Mythological Foundation Historical records trace the origin of the city Mysore from Mahishur that means 'the abode of Mahisha.' Historical records show that Hindu mythology describes this same region as the kingdom of Mahishasura who served as its dominant ruler. Through his blessing from Lord Brahma Mahishasura obtained protection from defeat by either male victors or divine beings. Fueled by new-found power Mahishasura carried out unrestrained tyranny across earth and heaven which brought heavy misfortune to the people. The force that brought his evil rule to an end emerged when Goddess Chamundeshwari descended from heaven to fight the demon king. The battle between Mahishasura and Goddess Chamundeshwari for various days ended when she destroyed him at his fort's location on the Chamundi Hill summit. According to local beliefs about the mythological battle Mahishuru acquired its name which later became Mysore. Chamundi Hill stands as a significant holy place throughout the current city area. The Chamundeshwari Temple sits on the summit of the hill to honor the goddess who eliminated Mahishasura. During annual festival celebrations of Navaratri numerous devotees voyage to the temple as they honor the victory of good over evil. The legend strengthens the city's religious relevance and enables its residents to embody critical values such as bravery together with uprightness and endurance. Wadiyar Dynasty: A Legacy of Kingship and Devotion Throughout six centuries (1399–1947) Mysore retained its Wadiyar dynasty rule which formed a central element in its identity. A people's myth about the dynasty's inception enhances Mysore's mystical appeal by adding to its traditions. Legends say Yaduraya Wadiyar established the dynasty through marriage to Princess Chikkadevarasi who was from Karugahalli family after he displayed his bravery and loyalty to her. The Wadiyar ascended the throne with divine blessings the gods had provided him allowing Mysore to enter a prosperous period. With royal support from the Wadiyars Mysore developed into an artistic cultural and architectural hub. Vijayadashami or Dasara constitutes an important traditional event in the history of the Wadiyars who celebrated the goddess Durga's triumph against Mahishasura. A basic family prayer practice developed by the royal clan became a grand annual festival that includes majestic parades alongside explosive fireworks and stage entertainment. Today Dasara continues as a major festival celebrated with magnificent displays which draws international visitors to Mysore. The royal palace shines with thousands of lights while demonstrating permanent aspects of the dynasty. Surrounding Mysore Palace The iconic Mysore Palace remained marked by several fascinating historical accounts that have been passed from one generation to the next. Tradition holds that the modern palace replaced a previous wooden structure which burnt down in 1897. British architect Henry Irwin designed the new palace that integrates the architectural characteristics of Indo-Saracenic along with Rajput and Gothic styles to represent the multi-cultural heritage of the Mysore kingdom. According to local beliefs Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV had a dream that led to his inspiration for designing the palace. A large building appeared to him in his dream which would embody the splendid glory of Mysore. He awoke and commanded his architects to recreate his vision which has now become the extraordinary palace structure people observe today. Although there is no proven historical evidence this adds an exciting mythical aspect to why Saras Gopura was built. According to local stories the royal spirits from the palace haunt its grounds. People visiting this location mention strange encounters most commonly in the Durbar Hall since it was the primary space for royal ceremonies. Various stories regarding the site depict elements of both reality and psychic impressions that further enhance the palace's magical reputation. Tales of Brindavan Gardens Located by the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam you will find Brindavan Gardens which carries numerous entertaining local legends. Many visitors from across the world come to see the musical fountains along with the harmoniously designed gardens at this location. Therese few people understand that supernatural powers formed this creation. According to local beliefs the dam engineers struggled through unforeseeable climate conditions and engineering complications while conducting their work. When they encountered such obstacles they looked for divine blessings by performing rituals at nearby temples. The people in the area believe supernatural intervention led to the accomplishment of constructing both the gardens and the dam project. Brindavan Gardens today stands as proof that people combined their creative skills with religious devotion to construct something remarkable which survived to become serene. Conclusion The cultural structure of Mysore rests on legends combined with myths that unite historical events with religious practices and traditional stories into a single unified story. These myths starting with Mahishasura lead directly to Wadiyar dynasty narratives which demonstrate the cultural integrity and core principles of this city. Residents proudly live in these enduring delights which have successfully drawn attention from those outside the boundaries. These narratives will always preserve Mysore's cultural core as the city develops toward modernity. The urban environment exists as more than concrete structures because it embodies the dreams together with struggles and aspirations of local residents. Anyone interested in discovering the essence of Mysore will find it by studying the city's legends and urban myths.
India.com
5 days ago
- General
- India.com
Discover The Fascinating History Behind Mysuru City's Name
Mysore, one of the most iconic cities of Karnataka, India, is famous for its extravagant culture, tradition, grandiose palaces and colorful history. It has always served as a hub for art, education and even spirituality. But do you know what the name Mysru refers to? Well, it is as fascinating as the city itself. Its origin comes from mythology and history and has undergone a lot of shifts in terms of language. In this post, we will cover the roots behind the city perspectives. Mythological roots Did you know that Mysore gets its name from Mahishasura, an ancient demon king? Similarly, the word 'Mysuru' also derives from Hindu mythology. The tale follows, there once was a buffalo headed demon called Mahishasura. He possessed a boon from lord Brahma, which made him virtually invincible. With this blessing, he went on murder spree across the earth and even the heavens in order to subdue the mortals and gods. Defeating him was no easy task for the gods, but with the help of Durga, the goddess of Shakti (a feminine divinity), they managed to win the battle. After nine long days of fighting, Goddess Durga managed to defeat Mahishasura on the final day of the battle. This is referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra. This great recital of good conquering evil is celebrated throughout the country during the Nokia Mysuru Dasara, a famous festival in India. As for the Lord Mysuru Dasara, the name Mysurus is said to have evolved from the great battle. It is believed to have had stems from 'Mahishur', an ancient name meaning 'the land of Mahisha.' Like stories of Mesopotamia, Myishuru also changed with time in sequence leading to the modern name of Lord Mahishuru. Historical Evolution of The Name From its original form Mahishuru It saw several effective metamorphosis thanks to Japanese inhabitants of the colonized region. Between the 14th to 16th century of the Vijayanagara Empire rule, the city was known as Mahishuranagara like the rest of the regions. Other than the Vijayanagara Empire, the Wodeyar dynasty claim to have moved to Mysuru after the 14th century bringing with them television and the rise of international sports but with the dying claim of retaining the identity of the city of Mysore. When the British got to India, they altered several Indian names for easier usage. 'Mysuru' became Mysore which was a common name during the colonial period and also after independence. There has been a movement to restore the native Kannada name 'Mysuru' in the recent past for restoration of Indian identities. The Karnataka government did change the city's name from 'Mysore' to 'Mysuru' in 2014 to coincide with its cultural history and genealogy, so the conversion Bill was passed in 2014. The Cultural Significance of The Name 'Mysore' is not just an abstract name; it conveys potency and enriched history. It is a reminder of the great city's mythological roots, and its continuous association with the tale of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura. This heritage outshines during the highly publicized Dasara festival that happens every year, pulling millions of people from around the globe. The vivid and appearance of the city together with the processions, performances and decoration of the palace, during Dasara signals to pay passt to the history of the city and its royal and mythological history. Alongside this, the term 'Mysore' retains shades of the city being a hub of Kannada culture and traditions. Myusru today is considered the cultural capital of Karnataka and is renowned for music, classical dance and art. The city name denotes a Kannada word symbolizing the neverending devotion of the city towards its language and culture. Mysore Today: The Continuation of History. Mysore today is an amalgamation of the city's historical as well as current modern advancements. Mysore is renowned for its sanitation, architectural vandals and has purportedly the highest standard of living in India. The city is emerging as a center for innovation and development with some of the most important schools and research centers and growing businesses. Mysore still complies to the adage 'Old is Gold'. The glorious history of the city is well preserved in gifted marvelous architecture and dramatic landscapes such as Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, and Brindavan Gardens Ishs Thus, the name Mysuru automatically brings a sense of nostalgia. Final Thoughts: There is no denying that the origins of Mysore's name are a mixture of mythology, history, and culture. The city today stands as one of the most significant metropolitan cities, but it all began as a legend of Mahishasura. Every name, especially the ones that stem from myths, carry a story with them. Mysore has always been more than just a city, and this name reflects the unmatched heritage. The city is constantly evolving, but the name remains the same; a symbol of charm and pride. It enables us to reminisce about the spellbinding heritage this city possesses.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Not just festivities, RSS to focus on expansion, engagement in centenary year
Far from being limited to festivities, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) year-long centenary celebrations, to be launched on Vijayadashami 2025, will be a large-scale outreach initiative aimed at expanding the organisation's presence and increasing volunteer participation across the country. Spanned across 12 months, the mega events will end on Vijayadashami 2026, and will not be just confined to celebrations. The RSS has planned to reach out to maximum households and engage as many people as possible in Uttar Pradesh. For organisational purposes, the RSS has divided Uttar Pradesh into two kshetras (regions) -- Purab (eastern) and Paschim (western). The eastern region comprises four prants -- Kashi, Goraksh, Awadh, and Kanpur. The western region comprises Meerut, Brij, and Uttarakhand. Despite Uttarakhand being a different state, it is part of the RSS's Paschim Kshetra of Uttar Pradesh. The centenary celebrations will start with 'Utsav 2025' on Vijayadashami in October this year. In this event, RSS volunteers will organise rallies and public meetings in full dress code across Uttar Pradesh and the rest of the country with special focus on the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. In the series of events, the second event will be 'Grah Sampark' in which RSS volunteers will try to reach out to households with folders, pamphlets and books carrying literature on RSS. The third and the most important event will be 'Hindu Sammelan'. 'The Hindu Sammelan will be organised in every mandal, basti and block to ensure participation of maximum people. We will try to ensure participation of people from all strata of the society,' said a senior RSS office-bearer from Uttar Pradesh. The fourth event is 'Prabudh Nagrik Gosthi' in which seminars will be organised with participation from prominent people from all sections of the society. In the series of events, the fifth will be 'Samajik Sadhav' meetings in which people from all caste groups will be invited. 'These meetings will focus on creating harmony in the society and eradicating caste differences,' said an RSS leader. The sixth event will be youth-centric, 'Yuva Sammelan'. 'The RSS will try to connect with youth through Yuva Sammelan. It is an effort to apprise youth about the working of the organisation and what it is doing for the society,' a leader said. The year-long celebrations will conclude with special shakhas across the state and the rest of the country. These will be other than routine shakhas that the RSS organises on a daily basis. The RSS is planning to increase the number of shakhas to one lakh and rope in 2,500 new pracharaks across the country. According to an RSS office-bearer, the organisation's focus is on creating a sense of unity and harmony among Hindus, making them aware of their duties towards the nation. It may be pointed out that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryawah (general secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale are touring Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country as part of preparations for the centenary-year celebrations.
