Dussera is celebrated for 10 days from September end to early October. Although it is celebrated all over India, it has special significance in Mysore. It symbolizes the victory of goddess Chamundeswari (Durga) over the demon Mahishasura. i.e. the victory of the good over the evil. Mysore palace is fully illuminated for a whole month. Several religious, cultural and other programmes are conducted during the celebrations. On the last day, with the accompaniment of a band, colourfully bedecked elephants carrying the statue of the goddess starts from the palace as a procession followed by palace chariots and units of the army through the city to Banni Mantap (where Banni tree is worshipped), about five kilometres away. In the evening, there is a torchlight parade by the horse mounted guards who provide an exciting display of horsemanship and the night ends with a grand display of fireworks.