Updated 7 October 2026
Mysore Dasara 2026, also called Mysuru Dasara 2026, will be celebrated from Sunday, 11 October to Wednesday, 21 October 2026. The 11-day festival will include royal traditions, worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari, Mysore Palace illumination, cultural programmes, public events and the Jamboo Savari procession on Vijayadashami.
For visitors, Dasara is not limited to one procession or one evening near Mysore Palace. Programmes are organised at several venues, traffic arrangements change during important events, and Mysore Palace is closed to general visitors on some festival days.
A one-day trip is generally not sufficient to cover Mysore’s main attractions and experience the festival comfortably. Couples, families and small groups should keep at least two to three days in Mysore when combining sightseeing with palace illumination, cultural programmes or Jamboo Savari.
For the origins, meaning and Wodeyar traditions behind the celebration, read the Mysore Dasara festival guide . For programme dates, venues and timings, check the Mysore Dasara 2026 events programme . You can also read the Dasara Exhibition visitor guide .
Mysore Dasara 2026 Dates
Mysore Dasara 2026 will begin on Sunday, 11 October 2026 and conclude on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. Vijayadashami, Jamboo Savari and the Torchlight Parade will take place on the final day.
- Opening day: Sunday, 11 October 2026
- Festival period: 11 to 21 October 2026
- Palace illumination: Every evening from 11 to 21 October 2026, 7 pm to 10 pm
- Yuva Dasara: 13 to 17 October 2026 at Uttanahalli
- Surya Kiran air show: 18 to 20 October 2026
- Dasara Exhibition: 11 October 2026 to 8 January 2027
- Vijayadashami: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
- Jamboo Savari: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
- Torchlight Parade: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at Bannimantap Parade Grounds
The detailed programme for Mysore Palace events, cultural performances, sports, flower shows and ticketed programmes is released in stages.
Experiencing Mysore Dasara in 2026
Mysore Palace is the visual centre of Dasara, but the festival is not confined to the palace grounds. Cultural programmes, concerts, exhibitions, sports, flower shows and public events are held at different venues across Mysore.
A practical plan is to complete selected sightseeing during the day and attend one planned event in the evening. Trying to cover too many attractions and programmes in one day often results in more time being spent in traffic, queues and security checks.
For the festival’s history, religious meaning and royal traditions, use the separate Mysore Dasara history and traditions guide .
Main Mysore Dasara 2026 Events
The following are the principal recurring experiences. Exact programme timings and venue allocations should be checked on the dedicated Events page.
Inauguration at Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
Mysore Dasara traditionally begins with worship offered to Goddess Chamundeshwari at the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hill. The 2026 festival will be inaugurated there on 11 October by Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Mahaswamiji of Gavimutt, Koppal.
Mysore Palace Cultural Programmes
Classical music, dance, theatre, folk performances and cultural presentations are generally organised at Mysore Palace and selected cultural venues during the festival.
Yuva Dasara
Yuva Dasara 2026 runs from 13 to 17 October at Uttanahalli, off the Mysuru–Nanjangud Road, with Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Sid Sriram, a Sandalwood Night and Jasmine Sandlas among the headliners. The day-wise line-up and timings are covered on the Yuva Dasara 2026 programme section of the events page.
Dasara Exhibition
The Mysore Dasara Exhibition is held at Doddakere Maidan, opposite Mysore Palace. The 2026 exhibition opens on 11 October and runs until 8 January 2027, with shopping stalls, food outlets, amusement rides, family activities and government pavilions.
Surya Kiran Air Show
The Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team will perform from 18 to 20 October. Venue and timings are listed on the events page once announced.
Other Public Programmes
Flower shows, traditional wrestling, sports, food festivals, heritage walks and community events may also be organised at different venues. Select programmes according to your interests, hotel location and available time.
Mysore Palace Illumination During Dasara 2026
The illuminated Mysore Palace is one of the most recognised experiences of Mysore Dasara. Thousands of lights outline the palace domes, arches and towers, while important roads and heritage buildings in central Mysore are also decorated.
The palace is scheduled to be illuminated every evening from 11 to 21 October 2026, from 7 pm to 10 pm. Confirm on the day, as timings can change for special programmes. The illuminated palace can be viewed free from outside the palace; entry into the grounds on programme evenings may be controlled.
The palace area becomes especially crowded after sunset. Cabs may not be allowed close to the entrance on busy evenings, and visitors may need to walk from an authorised parking or drop point. Because restrictions change from evening to evening, evening drops near the palace are arranged case by case rather than promised in advance.
Families travelling with children, senior citizens or guests with limited mobility should consider the likely walking distance before selecting a hotel or deciding on an evening pickup location.
- Visit the palace interiors during regular daytime entry hours.
- Reach the palace area before the evening crowd peaks.
- Keep additional time for security checks, diversions and walking.
- Use authorised parking and permitted drop points.
- Agree on an accessible pickup landmark with the driver.
- Avoid combining palace illumination and Brindavan Gardens on a heavily crowded evening.
- Confirm the illumination timing before leaving the hotel.
Mysore Palace Closure Days During Dasara 2026
The Mysore Palace Board has restricted visitor entry on the following days for royal rituals and the Jamboo Savari. Plan your palace interior visit around these dates.
- Sunday, 11 October: No entry from 10 am to 2 pm (Private Durbar and throne ceremonies)
- Tuesday, 20 October: No entry for the whole day (Mahanavami and Ayudha Puja at the Kalyana Mantap)
- Wednesday, 21 October: No general entry for the whole day; only visitors with valid Dasara passes and tickets are admitted
- Thursday, 19 November: Entry restricted from 10 am to 12 noon (dismantling of the Golden Throne)
Jamboo Savari on 21 October 2026
The Jamboo Savari is the ceremonial finale and best-known public event of Mysore Dasara. The 2026 procession will take place on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
The procession begins within the Mysore Palace premises and continues towards Bannimantap. Its principal attraction is the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari carried in the golden howdah on a decorated elephant.
Cultural troupes, musicians, police bands, decorated animals and tableaux representing Karnataka’s districts, traditions and achievements also form part of the procession. In 2026, contingents from the Army, Navy and Air Force will also take part.
Dasara Elephant Preparations
Elephants considered for the Dasara procession undergo health, fitness and behavioural assessments before taking part in training and ceremonial preparations. For 2026, five elephants, including Dhananjaya and Ekalavya, are being trained to carry the Golden Howdah; the final choice is confirmed closer to the procession.
Planning Jamboo Savari Day
Keep 21 October largely free when the procession is the main purpose of your visit. Complete regular sightseeing on earlier days. Road closures, barricades and crowd-control arrangements may affect movement across central Mysore well before the procession begins.
- Stay in Mysore on the night of 20 October.
- Visit the palace interiors before 20 October; it is closed to general visitors on 20 and 21 October.
- Avoid a same-day Bangalore–Mysore procession visit.
- Reach the permitted viewing area several hours early.
- Do not expect a cab to reach the Mysore Palace entrance.
- Carry water, essential medication and only necessary belongings.
- Keep children and elderly family members close.
- Use authorised channels for tickets and passes.
- Choose a clear meeting point when travelling as a group.
- Avoid scheduling a long onward journey immediately after the procession.
Torchlight Parade on 21 October 2026
The Torchlight Parade, locally known as Panjina Kavayatthu, will be held at Bannimantap Parade Grounds on Wednesday, 21 October 2026 as part of the concluding celebrations.
The programme may include ceremonial formations, equestrian displays, police or defence demonstrations, music and coordinated lighting. Entry and seating are regulated through tickets or passes.
The exact timing, reporting time, entry gate and seating arrangements will be updated after the final programme is announced.
How Many Days Are Needed for Mysore Dasara?
A common planning mistake is to treat Mysore Dasara as a one-day sightseeing trip. Even during a regular period, Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill, Mysore Zoo, Srirangapatna and Brindavan Gardens can fill a complete sightseeing schedule.
During Dasara, queues, road diversions, security checks, evening crowds, palace closure days and restricted vehicle access reduce the number of places that can be covered comfortably.
One Day in Mysore
One day allows only a limited selection of attractions. Visitors may need to choose between sightseeing and attending a festival programme.
Two Days in Mysore
Two days can work for selected city sightseeing, palace illumination and one cultural programme. The itinerary will remain compact and should be adjusted according to traffic and event timings.
Three Days in Mysore
Three days is the practical choice for most couples and families. It allows time for Mysore’s main attractions, an evening around the illuminated palace, Srirangapatna or Brindavan Gardens and one selected Dasara event.
Four Days or More
A longer stay is useful for guests attending Jamboo Savari or adding temple, heritage, wildlife and nature destinations near Mysore. Visitors can also continue towards Coorg, Ooty, Coonoor or Kodaikanal.
Suggested Mysore Dasara Itineraries
Suggested 2-Day Mysore Dasara Plan
- Day 1: Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, selected city attractions, Mysore Palace interiors and evening palace illumination or one cultural programme
- Day 2: Srirangapatna and selected nearby attractions, followed by Brindavan Gardens, subject to traffic and operating timings
This is a compact plan. Mysore Zoo, museums and additional attractions may need to be omitted depending on queues, hotel location and festival events. Avoid 20 and 21 October for Day 1, as the palace is closed to general visitors.
Suggested 3-Day Mysore Dasara Plan
- Day 1: Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore Zoo or Karanji Lake, Mysore Palace and selected city attractions
- Day 2: Srirangapatna sightseeing followed by Brindavan Gardens in the evening
- Day 3: Jaganmohan Palace, shopping or a relaxed city visit, followed by one selected Dasara event, the Dasara Exhibition or palace illumination
The sightseeing order should remain flexible. During the busiest festival days, covering fewer places comfortably is better than spending most of the day in traffic or inside the vehicle.
Planning Your Mysore Dasara 2026 Visit
Book Accommodation Early
Hotels in Mysore experience very high demand during Dasara, especially for stays covering the final festival dates. Rooms near Mysore Palace may be convenient for walking, but vehicle access can become difficult when nearby roads are closed.
- Book once your travel dates are confirmed.
- Do not wait for the complete event programme before reserving rooms.
- Check the hotel’s distance from Mysore Palace and Bannimantap.
- Confirm parking when travelling by cab or private vehicle.
- Ask whether road restrictions may affect hotel access.
- Expect peak-season tariffs and stricter cancellation conditions.
Reaching Mysore from Bangalore
Bangalore is the principal arrival point for many visitors travelling from outside Karnataka. Mysore can be reached by train, bus or private cab. Trains are the most predictable option during Dasara weekends; check the Bangalore to Mysore train timings and Mysore bus timings .
For route and transport planning, see how to reach Mysore , the Mysore distance chart and current Mysore Airport flight timings .
Traffic and Local Cab Movement
Roads around Mysore Palace, Sayyaji Rao Road and Bannimantap may be diverted or closed during important programmes. Drivers may need to use alternative routes and different pickup or drop points.
- Keep buffer time between sightseeing and evening events.
- Do not rely only on normal online-map travel times.
- Be prepared to walk from permitted drop points.
- Agree on an accessible pickup landmark with the driver.
- Keep the driver informed when leaving a crowded venue.
- Avoid repeated cross-city travel during peak evening hours.
- Keep Jamboo Savari day free from regular cab sightseeing.
Places to Visit in Mysore During Dasara
Mysore has enough attractions to fill more than one day even without the festival. During Dasara, prioritise places according to available time rather than trying to cover the entire city in a single route.
Mysore Palace
Mysore Palace is the centre of Dasara and Mysore’s principal heritage attraction. Visit the interiors during regular entry hours, avoiding the closure days listed above, and return later for illumination when the programme permits.
Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
The Sri Chamundeshwari Temple is directly connected with the meaning and inauguration of Mysore Dasara. An early visit is generally more practical than adding the temple immediately before a crowded evening event.
Mysore Zoo and Karanji Lake
Mysore Zoo is one of the city’s most popular family attractions. Nearby Karanji Lake can be added when time and weather permit.
Jaganmohan Palace and St. Philomena’s Church
The Jaganmohan Palace is known for its art collection, while St. Philomena’s Church is one of Mysore’s prominent architectural landmarks.
Srirangapatna
Srirangapatna includes temples and monuments associated with the Wodeyars, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. It is better planned as a separate half-day route rather than inserted between Mysore city attractions.
Brindavan Gardens
Brindavan Gardens is generally visited in the evening. Avoid combining it with Mysore Palace illumination on the same crowded evening.
Compare more attractions through the complete guide to Mysore tourist places .
Places Near Mysore for an Extended Dasara Holiday
Travellers keeping an additional day can explore temple towns, heritage monuments, waterfalls and wildlife destinations around Mysore. These places should be planned as separate routes rather than added to an already crowded city itinerary.
Temple and Heritage Day Trips
Popular extensions include Nanjangud , Somanathapura Temple and Melkote . Each is better planned as a separate half-day or full-day route.
Waterfalls and Wildlife Extensions
Nature-focused visitors can consider Shivanasamudra Falls or Bandipur National Park , subject to seasonal conditions, travel time, safari availability and forest regulations.
Combine Mysore Dasara with a Longer South India Tour
Visitors travelling from outside Karnataka often spend considerable time reaching Mysore. Instead of treating the festival as a rushed one-day visit, keep two or three days in Mysore and continue towards Coorg, Ooty, Coonoor or Kodaikanal.
A longer private-cab itinerary provides flexibility when a festival programme or road restriction affects the original sightseeing order.
Mysore Coorg Ooty Tour – 7 Days
The Mysore Coorg Ooty Tour – 7 Days covers Mysore heritage, Coorg’s nature attractions and the Ooty–Coonoor hill circuit.
Bangalore Coorg Mysore Ooty Tour – 8 Days
The Bangalore Coorg Mysore Ooty Tour – 8 Days is suitable for travellers who also want Bangalore sightseeing before continuing through Coorg, Mysore, Ooty and Coonoor.
Coorg Mysore Ooty Kodaikanal Tour – 9 Days
The Coorg Mysore Ooty Kodaikanal Tour – 9 Days is intended for guests planning an extended South India journey covering Coorg, Mysore, Ooty, Coonoor and Kodaikanal.
Practical Advice for Mysore Dasara Visitors
- Keep at least two to three days when sightseeing is part of the visit.
- Book accommodation and cab services early.
- Visit the palace interiors before 20 October.
- Keep Jamboo Savari day free from regular sightseeing.
- Expect walking when roads near major venues are closed.
- Use authorised channels for passes and tickets.
- Confirm the current programme before leaving the hotel.
- Check the latest Mysore weather before attending outdoor programmes.
FAQs – Mysore Dasara 2026
Plan a Longer Mysore Dasara 2026 Holiday
Mysore Dasara is better experienced as part of a multi-day trip. Keep at least two to three days for Mysore and allow additional time when combining the festival with Coorg, Ooty, Coonoor, Kodaikanal or other South India destinations.
Browse Tour Packages from Bangalore for trips beginning in Bengaluru, or explore Tour Packages from Mysore for holidays, sightseeing tours and day trips starting from Mysore.
