Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JS/EP)

Udupi, Oct 4: “Mahisha Dasara will be celebrated at Udupi on October 15 to stabilize Mahisha tradition as an alternative for Vedic culture,” said Udupi district Ambedkar Sene district president Harish Salian.

“Hindu fanatics have portrayed Mahishasura as a bad villain. However Mahishasura was a leader of the Asura kingdom, was instrumental in the historical era before Buddha and was responsible for the birth of Mysuru. He was the king of ancient Mahisha Mandala. King Ashok changes
his mind about war after watching pain and sufferings, abandons weapons and vows that he will never go for war. He fasts for nine days and receives Buddhism. That day is being celebrated as Vijaya Dashami. But priests turned it, created a fictitious story of Devi and brought about Dasara festival for celebrations. The Mahisha Dasara by Ambedkar Yuvasene will be all time significant to create an alternative culture to Vedic culture,” he said.

“The Mahisha king tableau will start from Udupi Ajjarkad martyr’s memorial in the procession of various vehicles at 10.30 am on October 15. It will proceed via Jodumarga, via Bannanje and will reach district Ambedkar Bhavan. Research author of Kalaburgi, Dr Vittal Vaggan will inaugurate the symposium on who was Mahishasura. Progressive thinker Rama Diwana and Dalit thinker Narayana Munoor will take part,” said Harish Salian.

Dayanand Kappettu, Lokesh Padubidri, Sanjiva Balkur, Ganesh Nergi and Jayan Malpe were present.