Mahisha Dasara: The Controversial Alternative Celebration of Dasara in Karnataka

Mahisha Dasara is an alternative celebration of the Hindu festival of Dasara that is antithetical to the narrative that Mahishasura was a demon. The celebration is held in coastal Karnataka's Udupi district, and it has been celebrated in various forms in coastal Karnataka for a long time. Mahishasura is worshipped in Barkur, where there is a shrine dedicated to him, and a Brahmin priest offers daily puja to him. A three-day festival called 'sedi utsava' is celebrated to honour the daiva. The celebration of Mahisha Dasara has touched a nerve among Hindutva supporters in coastal Karnataka as Mahishasura is commonly portrayed as a demon in Hindu mythology. The opposition to the alternative celebration has come from the right-wing organizations Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal.

Mahishasura, according to Hindu mythology, was once a ruler of the land now known as Mysuru, and he was considered a demon due to his alleged wrongdoings. The mythological story behind Karnataka’s biggest festival - Mysuru Dasara – is that Mahishasura was a shape-shifting demon who could not be killed by any man. Relief came in the form of Mahishasura Mardini, a reincarnation of goddess Durga, who killed him on the day of Dasara. This is the mythological story behind Karnataka’s biggest festival – Mysuru Dasara. In the month of October, Mahishasura Mardini or Chamundeshwari is worshipped as part of the Dasara celebrations, led by the Mysuru royal family.

Mahisha Dasara celebration in Coastal Karnataka

The controversy surrounding Mahisha Dasara has been ongoing for several years. In 2018, a rationalist group organized Mahisha Dasara to celebrate the legacy of Mahishasura, who they believe was a king who spread Buddhism in the region. The celebration was opposed by right-wing groups, who believe that Mahishasura was a demon. In 2023, the controversy erupted again when the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, a pro-Dalit organization, decided to take out a rally to celebrate Mahisha Dasara in the name of Mahisha, who they believe is not a demon but a king who spread Buddhism in the region. The local BJP unit opposed the move, announcing that it would counter this with a ‘Chamundi Betta Chalo’ on the same day.

Mahisha Dasara has never been celebrated on a grand scale in Mysuru. However, in July 2023, Mysuru district in-charge minister H C Mahadevappa said that the new government would not disturb Mahisha Dasara. Following this statement, former Mysuru mayor Purushotham held several press meets in the city pointing out how the previous BJP government in the state had not allowed celebrations in the last five years. BJP MP Pratap Simha, who represents the Mysuru-Kodagu region, called the move to celebrate Mahisha Dasara "anti-Hindu".

The controversy surrounding Mahisha Dasara has led to protests and counter-protests. The Mahishasura Mandali, a group formed by Dalits, intellectuals, and rationals, called for a Mahisha Dasara celebration in 2023, which was opposed by right-wing groups. The Mysuru Police denied permission for Mahisha Dasara and Chamundi Chalo in 2023. The controversy surrounding Mahisha Dasara has no historical, cultural, or religious prominence, according to historian Arjun Bharadwaj.

In conclusion, Mahisha Dasara is an alternative celebration of the Hindu festival of Dasara that is antithetical to the narrative that Mahishasura was a demon. The celebration has been celebrated in various forms in coastal Karnataka for a long time, and it has touched a nerve among Hindutva supporters in coastal Karnataka. The controversy surrounding Mahisha Dasara has been ongoing for several years and has led to protests and counter-protests. The controversy surrounding Mahisha Dasara has no historical, cultural, or religious prominence, according to historian Arjun Bharadwaj.

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