Mysuru, June 22 -- Member of the erstwhile Mysore Royal Family Pramoda Devi Wadiyar has issued a clarification in response to certain media reports claiming that this year's Dasara celebrations, spanning eleven days, are being held "for the first time in 400 years."

In an official statement, she clarified that this claim is factually incorrect and misleading. While the Mysuru Dasara festival is traditionally celebrated over nine days, there have been multiple occasions in the past when the festivities have lasted eight, nine, ten or eleven days, depending on the lunar calendar.

"The calendar (Panchanga) followed by the Mysore Palace for all festivals, including Dasara, is based on the lunar cycle. Variations in the duration occur due to...