Mysuru Dasara 2026 begins on Sunday 11 October and ends eleven days later, on 21 October, in Mysuru, Karnataka. Over its eleven days the festival builds to Vijayadashami, when the Jamboo Savari, the elephant procession, sets out from Mysuru Palace. It suits visitors who enjoy temple festivals, palace architecture and crowds, and who can book a room well ahead.
When is Mysuru Dasara 2026?
The Karnataka government has fixed the festival for 11 to 21 October 2026. The official Dasara site gives 11:50 am on 11 October for the inauguration, which takes place at the Chamundeshwari Temple up on Chamundi Hill. Everything builds to the last day, when the golden howdah, the ceremonial seat carrying the image of the goddess Chamundeshwari, rides through the city on an elephant. The Pushparchane, the floral offering that sets the procession going, is timed for 4:10 pm; after 4:35 pm the elephants move out of the palace grounds towards Bannimantap.
What happens during the eleven days?
The palace is lit up from the first evening, and most visitors plan at least one night around it. Cultural and sporting programmes fill the other days. A few that fall on fixed dates, as listed on the official site:
11 October: inauguration, the opening of the flower show, the Aahara Mela food festival and the start of the palace illumination.
13 to 17 October: Mahila and Makkala Dasara, programmes for women and children.
16 to 19 October: Raitha Dasara, the farmers' celebration.
18 and 19 October: Kambala, the traditional buffalo races.
20 and 21 October: the Panjina Kavayathu, the torchlight parade with military bands, alongside the Jamboo Savari on 21 October.
How do you see the Jamboo Savari?
Seats for the procession are sold in advance, and the district administration has opened online booking on mysoredasara.gov.in. The site sells tickets for the Jamboo Savari, the torchlight parade and the drone shows, and also a Gold Card that bundles several entries: the procession, the torchlight parade, Chamundi Hill, the zoo, Mysuru Palace and one drone show. Each ticket or card admits one person, so every member of a group needs their own. Rates are reported to be unchanged from last year, but check the official site for current prices before you plan your budget. The site also carries venue maps and live streaming, and a 24-hour helpline, 1077, for visitor support.
If you have not booked, you can still enjoy the city on the days around the finale. The palace lights, the food festival and the flower show do not depend on a procession seat.
How should you plan your stay?
Mysuru is a compact city about 140 km south-west of Bengaluru, so many people consider a day trip. For Dasara that is a poor idea on the busiest days. Roads are likely to be busy, and a late return to Bengaluru after an evening programme can be tiring. Two nights gives you one evening for the lights and one for a cultural programme. Stay four nights if you want to include the finale and an unhurried visit to the palace, Devaraja Market and Chamundi Hill.
A few practical points:
Book rooms early. The finale, 21 October 2026, falls on a Wednesday, so the nights before it are likely to be the busiest. The opening day, 11 October, is a Sunday.
Carry a light layer for the evenings and comfortable shoes. Much of the festival means long walks and standing.
Keep your ticket confirmations on your phone and allow extra time to reach the venue.
Expect schedules to move. Programme times and venues can change, so confirm them on the day.
Who is Dasara best for?
Dasara suits travellers who want a large cultural festival and are comfortable with crowds. Those who prefer a quiet visit to the palace and the hill temple may enjoy Mysuru more outside festival weeks. Mysuru also fits easily into a longer South India route, for example before heading on to Hampi or Kerala.
