Mysuru Dasara is one of Karnataka’s most celebrated festivals and a major cultural event in India. Held in Mysuru, the festival combines religious traditions with the city’s royal heritage, drawing visitors to its palaces, temples, cultural programmes and grand processions.
Known locally as Nadahabba, or the state festival of Karnataka, Mysuru Dasara is centred on the worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari. The 10-day celebration begins with Navaratri and ends with Vijayadashami. The most awaited event is the Jamboo Savari, the grand procession in which the idol of Chamundeshwari is carried in a golden howdah on a decorated elephant.
Mysuru Dasara 2026 Dates
According to the 2026 Dasara programme, the celebrations in Mysuru will begin on Sunday, 11 October 2026, with the inauguration at Chamundi Hill. The main Vijayadashami celebrations, including the Jamboo Savari and Torchlight Parade, are scheduled for Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
The festival programme includes religious ceremonies, cultural performances and events at different venues across Mysuru. The opening ceremony at Chamundi Hill marks the beginning of the festivities, while Vijayadashami brings the celebrations to their grand conclusion.
Mysuru Dasara 2026 at a glance
Festival: Mysuru Dasara 2026
City: Mysuru, Karnataka
Beginning: 11 October 2026
Main Vijayadashami celebrations: 21 October 2026
Main attraction: Jamboo Savari
Presiding deity: Goddess Chamundeshwari
Known as: Nada Habba, the state festival of Karnataka
History of Mysuru Dasara
The history of Mysuru Dasara goes back several centuries. The tradition is closely connected with the Vijayanagara Empire, when Dasara celebrations received royal patronage. Historical accounts also record the grandeur of Dasara celebrations in the region during the Vijayanagara period.
The Wodeyar dynasty later made the festival an important part of the royal culture of Mysuru. The Wodeyars, who came to power in Mysuru in 1399, played a major role in shaping the city’s cultural and architectural identity.
Over time, Dasara became closely associated with the Mysuru royal family. The celebrations included royal ceremonies, cultural performances and the worship of Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of the city.
The festival also became a time when the royal court displayed its grandeur. The tradition of the royal procession evolved over the years and remains one of the defining features of Mysuru Dasara. Today, the festival continues to preserve that connection with Mysuru’s royal past while also reflecting the cultural life of modern Karnataka.
Why is Mysuru Dasara Celebrated?
At its heart, Mysuru Dasara celebrates the victory of good over evil. According to Hindu tradition, Goddess Chamundeshwari, a form of Goddess Durga, defeated the demon king Mahishasura. The legend is closely connected with Mysuru itself. The district administration notes that the city’s name is associated with Mahishasura, who is believed to have been defeated by Chamundeshwari on Chamundi Hill.
For devotees, the festival is therefore a period of prayer and spiritual observance. For Mysuru, it is also a celebration of its history, art and cultural identity. The festival brings together religious ceremonies, classical music, dance, folk traditions, handicrafts, food and public celebrations. This combination has helped Dasara remain relevant across generations.
Goddess Chamundeshwari and Chamundi Hill
Chamundi Hill holds an important place in Mysuru Dasara. The Chamundeshwari Temple stands on the hill overlooking the city and is dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari. Special prayers and rituals mark the beginning of the Dasara celebrations here.
The opening of Mysuru Dasara traditionally takes place at Chamundi Hill, giving the festival a distinctly spiritual beginning before the celebrations move into the city. The 2026 programme also begins with prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari at the temple. For visitors, Chamundi Hill also offers a different view of Mysuru, with the city’s palaces and historic neighbourhoods spread out below.
Jamboo Savari: The Grand Finale
The Jamboo Savari is the most famous attraction of Mysuru Dasara. Held on Vijayadashami, the procession begins at the Mysuru Palace and moves through the city. The centrepiece is the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, carried in a golden howdah on a decorated elephant.
The procession also features elephants, horses, cultural tableaux, musicians, folk performers and other traditional groups. It reflects the royal character that has long been associated with Mysuru Dasara.
In 2026, the Jamboo Savari is scheduled for 21 October, the final day of the main Dasara celebrations. The official programme lists the Chamundeshwari idol being placed in the 750-kg Golden Howdah as part of the Vijayadashami ceremony. For many visitors, watching the procession is the defining experience of Mysuru Dasara.
Mysuru Palace Illumination
The Mysuru Palace is another major attraction during Dasara. The palace is illuminated during the festival, creating one of the most recognisable images associated with Mysuru. Karnataka Tourism says the palace is lit with around 100,000 bulbs during Dasara, while the Mysuru district administration records the use of 97,000 electric bulbs. The illumination becomes particularly striking after sunset, when the Indo-Saracenic palace is covered in lights.
The palace itself is closely linked with the history of Dasara. The current structure was built between 1897 and 1912 and contains royal halls, paintings, artefacts and the famous golden howdah associated with the procession.
Cultural Programmes
Mysuru Dasara is not limited to religious ceremonies and processions. Throughout the festival, the city hosts music, dance and folk performances. Artists from Karnataka and other parts of India take part in programmes held at different venues.
Traditional folk arts also have a special place in the celebrations. Performances such as Dollu Kunitha and other folk forms bring Karnataka’s regional traditions to the city during Dasara. These programmes give visitors an opportunity to experience the cultural side of the festival beyond the major procession.
Dasara Exhibition
The Dasara Exhibition is another popular attraction during the festival. It brings together handicrafts, local products, food, entertainment and cultural displays. The exhibition adds a more informal and lively side to the celebrations, attracting both local residents and tourists.
The event also provides an opportunity to explore Karnataka’s crafts and traditional products while experiencing the festive atmosphere of Mysuru.
Torchlight Parade
The celebrations conclude with the Torchlight Parade at Bannimantap. The event is traditionally held after the Jamboo Savari and features a large ceremonial display. It is one of the final spectacles of Mysuru Dasara, bringing together lights, performances and military-style formations.
The 2026 programme lists the Torchlight Parade for the evening of 21 October, following the Vijayadashami celebrations.
Mysuru Dasara and Karnataka's Cultural Heritage
What makes Mysuru Dasara distinctive is the way it brings together different aspects of Karnataka’s heritage. The festival has a religious foundation, but its identity extends beyond temple rituals. Royal traditions, folk arts, classical music, dance, handicrafts, food and architecture all become part of the celebration.
Mysuru itself adds to the experience. The city is known for its palaces, historic buildings, sandalwood products, silk and traditional arts. During Dasara, these elements come together against the backdrop of the illuminated Mysuru Palace and Chamundi Hill.
Places to Visit During Mysuru Dasara 2026
Visitors attending Mysuru Dasara can also explore some of the city's best-known landmarks.
Mysuru Palace - The former royal residence is the centre of the Dasara celebrations and a must-visit during the festival.
Chamundeshwari Temple - Located on Chamundi Hill, the temple is the spiritual centre of the festival and the starting point for the Dasara celebrations.
Jaganmohan Palace - Known for its art collection and historical significance, it is among Mysuru’s important cultural landmarks.
Bannimantap - The area is associated with the concluding Torchlight Parade and other Dasara activities.
Devaraja Market - A traditional market where visitors can experience the everyday character of Mysuru and find flowers, spices, local products and other goods.
What Makes Mysuru Dasara Special?
Mysuru Dasara has survived for centuries because it has continued to evolve without losing its connection with tradition.
The festival carries the memory of the Wodeyar era, the devotion associated with Chamundeshwari, and the cultural traditions of Karnataka. At the same time, it has become a major tourism event that welcomes visitors from across India and abroad.
For a visitor, the experience can range from watching the palace glow after sunset to witnessing the Jamboo Savari move through the city. For local people, it remains much more personal: a festival of faith, family, culture and shared traditions. That combination of history and living culture is what gives Mysuru Dasara 2026 its enduring appeal.
