Mysore, the second largest city of Karnataka state, celebrates its fairs and festivals with great religious fervor. Fairs and festivals are essential parts of culture and tradition of Mysore. People of Karnataka believe in making every event a special one. Celebration of the festivals and fairs in Mysore offer insights of rich culture and traditions which have percolated from the time immemorial to this modern day.  Unaltered and unchanged by modern civilization, fairs and festivals in Mysore are still celebrated with same religious and traditional touch.
  Mysore has turned into a cosmopolitan city housing people of different faiths, religions and regions. As a result the city is seen celebrating festivals of all religions with equal zeal and zest. However, so far as the traditional fairs and festivals of the region are concerned, the city of Mysore which once was a princely state of Mysore kingdom is known for its celebration of Dussera and Yugadi. Ten day festival of Dussera in Mysore involves several religious and cultural activities. In ancient times, the mighty ruler Vijayanagar Empire used to take out a large procession of elephants on the occasion of the festival. In modern day too people of Mysore take out colorfully dressed elephant in the procession which goes round the city.

  Yugadi is major festival of Karnataka state. Mysore, being a part of Karnataka, also celebrates Yugadi with much pomp and show. The festival marks the beginning of New Year for the people of Karnataka and hence the festival is celebrated with much fanfare. The festival usually comes in the end of March month or in the beginning of April. Besides Dussera and Yugudi, other major festivals like Deepawali and Holi are celebrated Mysore with much pomp and show.