Mysore palace organises Vajramusti Kalaga during Dasara celebrations

As a part of the Dasara festival, Vajramusti Kalaga, an ancient form of martial arts, was organized in the Mysore Palace on Tuesday, October 8. The martial arts show was performed by members of the Jetti community. In its traditional form, Vajramusti Kalaga consists of two bouts of wrestling and includes four wrestlers- one each from Mysore, Bangalore, Chamarajanagar and Channapattana.

Intense fist match

During the ceremony, the fighters fight until one of them draws blood from his opponent during the fight which consists of an intense fist match. The fight commences the Vijay Yatra that is hosted by the Royal family of Mysore Palace on Vijayadashmi, also known as Dasara.

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The fight also involves the use of Vajramushti, which is a knuckle duster-like weapon and is usually made of ivory and Buffalo horn. It is slightly pointed at the edges and has spikes at its ends. Different variations of the same weapon are used in different kinds of warfare and fights. 

The Mysore Dasara festival is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country and attracts a lot of tourists who come to take part in the festivities from far off places. It is a ten-day programme which is organized every year in Mysore. It starts on the first day of Navratri and culminates on the day of Vijayadashami or Dasara.  

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The biggest attraction at the Mysuru Dasara is the famous elephant procession that starts from the Amba Vilas palace and moves about for 5 kilometres through Mysuru. Before the procession, 15 elephants are brought from their homes in an elephant camp. Later, a procession is organized during which the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is kept on a golden mantapa on top of a decorated elephant.

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Additionally, dance groups, music bands, decorated animals; decorated tableaux also take part in the procession. During all ten-days of the function, the Mysore Palace remains illuminated with thousands of lights and is a sight to behold.

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