Mahisha Dasara is a parallel celebration to Mysuru Dasara, which is a combination of Navaratri and Vijayadashami celebrated in Mysuru. It is celebrated to honor Mahishasura, a demon king who was killed by Goddess Chamundeshwari, according to Hindu mythology. However, some people believe that Mahishasura was not a demon but a Buddhist ruler who was murdered by upper caste Aryans, and the story of a demon was created to discredit him. According to some scholars, Mahisha was a great Buddhist monk, a secular ruler, and the destiny-maker of the marginalized indigenous people of Mysuru region. The celebration of Mahisha Dasara is seen by some as a way to reclaim the identity of Mysuru and honor its diverse cultural heritage.