Mysore Dasara 2026 Festival: Dates, Events, Palace Lighting & 3-Day Itinerary

Mysore Dasara 2026, the iconic 11-day celebration of the victory of good over evil, will take place from Sunday, 11 October to Wednesday, 21 October 2026. This year marks its 416th edition, beginning atop Chamundi Hill and concluding with the grand Jamboo Savari procession and torchlight parade.

Mysore Dasara 2026 at a Glance

• Festival dates: 11–21 October 2026
• Inauguration: Sunday, 11 October, 11:50 AM–12:13 PM (Dhanur Lagna), Sri Chamundeshwari Devi Temple, Chamundi Hill
• Inaugurated by: His Holiness Sri Abhinava Gavisiddheshwara Mahaswamiji of Sri Gavi Matha, Koppal
• Jamboo Savari: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 (procession leaves the Palace at about 4:35 PM)
• Palace illumination: every evening from 7 PM; till midnight on 21 October
• Helpline: 1077 (open 24×7)

The Wadiyar Legacy

The Dasara tradition was started by Raja Wadiyar I in the early 17th century. Over the centuries, rulers like Krishna Raja Wadiyar III enhanced the celebrations with the Raj Durbar, music, and cultural programs. Today, the Wadiyar family continues the legacy, with Yaduveer Wadiyar performing private durbar rituals at Mysore Palace during the festival.

Is Vijayadashami on 20 or 21 October in Mysuru?

Many national calendars show Dussehra on 20 October. Mysuru follows the Mysuru Palace panchanga, which goes by the tithi at sunrise, and the official Dasara programme places Vijayadashami and the Jamboo Savari on 21 October. Use 20 October as Mahanavami, when Ayudha Puja is held at the Palace.

2026 Inauguration & Major Attractions

• Inauguration (11 October): The festival opens with the Agra Puja of Nada Devate Sri Chamundeshwari Devi at the Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hills, in the presence of and inaugurated by Sri Abhinava Gavisiddheshwara Mahaswamiji.
• Drone show (17, 18, 20 and 21 October): Held at 8 PM at the Torchlight Parade ground, Bannimantap, inaugurated on 17 October. Ticketed seating is on sale for 17 and 18 October (see below).
• Suryakiran air show: The Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team will perform at Dasara 2026. The official site says the date, time, and venue will be announced by the Dasara Secretariat.
• Kambala (18 and 19 October): Traditional buffalo races from 9 AM on a track near VTU College.
• Dasara Exhibition: Opens 11 October at Doddakere Maidan, opposite the Palace, and runs for about two months, 11 AM–10 PM, with government and industry pavilions, a crafts bazaar and amusement rides.
• Fruit & Flower Show: 11–21 October, 9 AM–9 PM, Kuppanna Park (Nishad Bagh).
• Aahara Mela (food festival): 11–25 October, 11 AM–10 PM, Maharaja’s College Ground.
• Other programmes: Dasara CM Cup sports (11–14 October), Kavigoshti poetry sessions (13–17 October), Mahila & Makkala Dasara, Yoga Dasara, Heritage Dasara walks and rides (15–17 October) and Raitha (farmers’) Dasara (16–18 October).

Palace Illumination & Parades

• Mysore Palace lighting: Nearly 100,000 bulbs light the Amba Vilas Palace every evening from 7 PM to 10 PM during the festival, and till midnight on Sundays and on Vijayadashami (21 October). The city’s festival lighting (Deepalankara) is switched on at 6:30 PM on 11 October on Sayyaji Rao Road, near K.R. Hospital Circle. The Palace forecourt is free to enter from 6 PM; arrive by 6:30 PM for the classic view, or watch from Balarama Gate on Sayyaji Rao Road.
• Jamboo Savari (21 October): The Chief Minister performs the Nandi Dhwaja Puja at the Palace between 1:36 and 1:56 PM. The floral tribute (Pushparchane) to Goddess Chamundeshwari in the 750 kg golden howdah follows between 4:10 and 4:35 PM, and the procession then leaves the Palace for Bannimantap, a route of about 5 km, with tableaux, cultural troupes and bands.
• Torchlight Parade (Panjina Kavayathu): Held at Bannimantap Parade Grounds at 7 PM on 20 October (first evening) and 21 October (closing act), featuring bands, cavalry, motorcycle daredevils, a laser show and fireworks.

Palace Entry During Dasara

The official Dasara site does not publish Palace visiting hours or closure days. A travel operator (inMysore Holidays, 7 October update) reports no public entry from 10 AM to 2 PM on 11 October for the Private Durbar, and general entry closed on 20 and 21 October, with only valid Dasara pass and ticket holders admitted. This is unconfirmed, so check with the Palace or the official helpline (1077) before you plan a daytime visit on those dates.

For more info, check the following website

• Official Website: mysoredasara.gov.in
• Tourism Info: Karnataka Tourism
• Festival Tickets: Utsav Tickets

Connectivity from Bangalore

• By KSRTC Bus: Frequent buses operate between Bengaluru and Mysuru, taking about 3 hours.
• By Train: Multiple daily trains connect Bengaluru to Mysuru.
• By Air: The nearest airport is Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (150 km). From there, taxis and buses are available.

Stay Options and Tourism Initiatives

The Karnataka Tourism Department, along with Jungle Lodges & Resorts, offers packages that include heritage stays, jungle safaris, and guided tours. Popular stays include Kabini River Lodge, Bandipur Safari Lodge, Dubare Elephant Camp, and Kings Sanctuary.

Nearby Attractions

Tourists can extend their visit to explore Brindavan Gardens, Chamundi Hills, Rangaswami Temple, Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, and Nagarhole National Park.

Emergency Contacts

• All-in-one Emergency: 112
• Ambulance: 108
• Police: 100
• Fire: 101
• Mysuru Dasara Helpline (control room): 1077 (24×7)
• Tourist Police, Mysuru: 0821-2418111
• Karnataka Tourism Helpline: info@kstdc.co | 080-4334 4334 / 080-2235 2828
• Mysuru Tourism, Asst. Director: ddtourismmysore@gmail.com | 7353312808 (last verified on 11 Oct 2026)

Suggested 3-Day Itinerary (19–21 October)

Because the biggest events fall on 20 and 21 October, this plan is built around them. Arrive in Mysuru by 19 October.

Day 1 (Monday, 19 October): Travel from Bangalore and check in. Visit Mysore Palace and Chamundi Hill in the daytime, then see the Palace illumination from 7 PM. Walk through the Dasara Exhibition at Doddakere Maidan and the Aahara Mela.

Day 2 (Tuesday, 20 October): Mahanavami. Ayudha Puja is held at the Palace from 9 AM, and general Palace entry may be restricted (see above). Spend the day at Brindavan Gardens or Srirangapatna, and note that the Zoo is closed on Tuesdays. In the evening, catch the Torchlight Parade rehearsal at Bannimantap (gates 4–6 PM) or the Palace illumination.

Day 3 (Wednesday, 21 October): Vijayadashami. Reach your spot early: seat gates for the Jamboo Savari open at 9:30 AM, and roads close from about 11 AM. Watch the Nandi Dhwaja Puja, the floral tribute and the procession leaving at about 4:35 PM, then the Torchlight Parade at 7 PM. Plan a staggered return, as exits at Bannimantap are slow.

Day 4 (Thursday, 22 October, optional): The elephants begin their return journey at 10:45 AM. It is a calmer day for the Palace, local markets and the Zoo.

FAQs

Q1. When is Mysore Dasara 2026?

11 October to 21 October 2026. The festival opens on Chamundi Hill and ends on Vijayadashami, 21 October.

Q2. Who inaugurates Mysore Dasara 2026?

His Holiness Sri Abhinava Gavisiddheshwara Mahaswamiji of Sri Gavi Matha, Koppal, at the Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hill, between 11:50 AM and 12:13 PM on 11 October.

Q3. What are the Mysore Palace lighting timings?

7 PM to 10 PM every evening, and till midnight on Sundays (11 and 18 October) and on Vijayadashami (21 October).

Q4. What time is the Jamboo Savari in 2026?

The floral tribute to the goddess is between 4:10 and 4:35 PM on 21 October, and the procession leaves Mysore Palace for Bannimantap right after.

Q5. Which elephant carries the golden howdah in 2026?

Abhimanyu, who carried it from 2020 to 2025, has retired and is not in the 2026 herd of twelve. The Forest Department will announce the 2026 howdah elephant after the training period.

Q6. How can I book tickets and the Gold Card?

Only through the official portal, mysoredasara.gov.in/tickets, which sells through TicketGenie. The Gold Card starts at ₹6,500, procession seats at ₹3,500, Torchlight Parade at ₹1,500 and the Drone Show at ₹1,000.

Q7. Is the Palace illumination free?

Yes, it can be viewed free from the grounds. The procession route and public enclosures at Bannimantap are also free.

Q8. How do I reach Mysuru from Bangalore?

By KSRTC bus, train or taxi, about 3 hours by road. The nearest major airport is in Bengaluru.

Q9. Is there a helpline for tourists?

Yes. The Dasara helpline is 1077 (24×7) and the Tourist Police number is 0821-2418111. The Karnataka Tourism Helpline is info@kstdc.co | 080-4334 4334 / 080-2235 2828.

Last updated: 11 October 2026. Timings can change; check the official schedule before you travel.

Happy Voyaging!