The annual Nada Habba Dasara festival is underway, drawing crowds to Mysuru. Festivities kicked off with a traditional puja at Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills, where writer Nadoja Hampa Nagarajaiah paid homage to Goddess Chamundeshwari. This nine-day celebration, a major tourist attraction, will culminate in the grand Vijayadashami procession starting from Mysore Palace on October 12. Nadoja Hampa Nagarajaiah, also known as Hampanna, inaugurated the festival and reflected on the cultural significance of Dasara in Karnataka. Scion of the Mysuru royal family and Member of Parliament, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, conducted the annual private darbar at Mysore Palace over the nine days of Navratri. Visitors can look forward to a variety of cultural events at Mysuru Dasara, including performances by Ilaiyaraaja and A R Rahman at Yuva Dasara, a food festival, a flower show, and a book fair. This year's film festival will honor the late actor-filmmaker Dwarakish.