Dasara 2026: With poojas and processions, Mysuru gears up for grand finale

Mysuru is all set for the grand Dasara finale on Wednesday (October 21, 2026), with large crowds thronging the city centre to witness the iconic Jamboo Savari, which will be flagged off at 4.10 p.m. The procession, featuring decorated elephants, cultural troupes and tableaux, will mark the culmination of the 11-day festivities.

Ahead of the procession, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will perform the Nandi Dhwaja puja, marking the commencement of the procession of cultural troupes and tableaux preceding the Jamboo Savari.

The streets in the city’s core heritage zone are filling up with people from various parts of the State, eager to witness the grandeur of the Dasara finale. While entry to the Palace premises is restricted to VIPs, invitees, ticket holders and gold card holders, seating arrangements have been made outside the palace near Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, close to the Balarama Gate, for other invitees and pass holders to watch the procession.

Security has been stepped up across the city, with more than 6,000 police personnel deployed for bandobust. Security arrangements are being supervised by a team of 21 officers of Superintendent of Police rank.

Prashantha’s big debut

Tusker Prashantha will carry the golden howdah for the first time, marking a significant moment in this year’s procession. The Forest Department has made elaborate arrangements for the majestic march, including decorating the elephants participating in the procession.

The ‘utsava murthi’ of Goddess Chamundeshwari has been brought from Chamundi Hill to the palace for the grand procession. The idol will be placed in the golden howdah, and the Chief Minister and other dignitaries will shower flowers on the deity to formally flag off the Jamboo Savari.

Torchlight parade

In the evening, the traditional torchlight parade at the Bannimantap Grounds will mark the conclusion of the Dasara festivities. The Governor, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries are expected to participate in the event.

Additionally, the Mysuru royal family celebrated Vijayadashami with the scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar taking part in the ‘Vijaya Yatre’ accompanied by the courtiers and others on the palace premises.

The traditional Vajra Musti Kalaga, a wrestling bout involving jattis and held in a specially-arranged arena inside the Mysuru Palace and witnessed by members of the royal family and invited guests, could not be held this year despite arrangements having been made for the event. The cancellation is said to be the first in the recent past. The bout is traditionally held before the royal scion’s Vijaya Yatre. The reasons for its cancellation were not immediately known.