Mahisha Mandalotsava celebrated in Mysuru
The Mahisha Mandalotsava 2026 was held in Mysuru to celebrate Mahisha as a historical ruler rather than a mythological demon, amid tight security. Speakers at the event argued that historical narratives have been manipulated and called for a re-evaluation of Mahisha's legacy in the context of social justice and history.
Why it matters
The event highlights ongoing cultural and historical debates in India regarding the interpretation of mythology and its intersection with social identity.
A day before the start of Dasara celebrations, the Mahisha Mandalotsava 2026 was celebrated amid tight police security on the Town Hall premises in Mysuru on Saturday. The members of Mahisha Mandalotsava Celebration Committee led by former Mayor Purushotham garlanded the statue of B.R. Ambedkar at Town Hall and lit a candle kept in front of the bronze miniatures of Buddha, Mahishasura and B.R. Ambedkar.
Dalit writer and thinker Vittal Vaggan, in his inaugural address, said Mahisha was a ruler and alleged that history had been hijacked by mythology while historical facts had been manipulated and replaced with mythological narratives. He called upon people to look at Mahisha from a historical perspective rather than seeing him from a mythological aspect which showcased him as a demon.
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