India Celebrates Colourful MysuruDasara Festival

Thousands of people dressed in colourful traditional attire take part in a grand procession through the southwestern Indian city of Mysuru, accompanied by an elephant carrying an effigy of the Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari, on the final day of the Mysuru Dasara festival.

The 10-day celebration commemorates the goddess’s victory over the demon king Mahishasura. As part of the festivities, families also display and worship traditional dolls, a custom known as “Gollu,” in their homes for nine days.