Mysore Dasara 2026: Dates, Jamboo Savari Time, Tickets & Day-by-Day Guide
Mysuru’s Nada Habba runs from 11 to 21 October 2026, with the grand Jamboo Savari elephant procession on Wednesday 21 October. Here is everything you need to plan your visit, including timings and tickets.
Mysore Dasara 2026 at a Glance
| Festival dates | Sunday 11 October to Wednesday 21 October 2026 (11 days) |
| Inauguration | 11 October, puja to Goddess Chamundeshwari on Chamundi Hills, reported for about 11:50 am |
| Yuva Dasara | 13 to 17 October, as per event listings |
| Drone show | 17 and 18 October, ticketed |
| Kambala | Buffalo race at Sathagalli on 18 and 19 October |
| Maha Navami | Tuesday 20 October |
| Vijayadashami and Jamboo Savari | Wednesday 21 October, floral tribute reported at 4:10 to 4:35 pm, then the procession leaves the Palace for Bannimantapa (about 5 km) |
| Torchlight parade | Evening of 21 October at Bannimantapa, ticketed |
| Dasara exhibition | 11 October 2026 to 8 January 2027, opposite the Palace |
Timings and event details are announced by the organisers and can change. Confirm the final programme on the official Mysuru Dasara website before you travel.
Why Mysuru Dasara Is So Special
Dasara is the state festival of Karnataka, known as the Nada Habba, and nowhere is it celebrated on a grander scale than Mysuru. The tradition goes back centuries, from the Vijayanagara rulers to the Wadiyar kings who carried it forward from Mysuru’s royal court. It marks the victory of good over evil, rooted in the legend of Goddess Chamundeshwari defeating the demon Mahishasura, whose story gives the city its name.
What makes it unforgettable is how the whole city joins in. Streets glow with lights, the Palace becomes the centre of music and ritual, and the festival ends with a royal procession that few other places in India can match. Whether you come for the heritage, the culture or the spectacle, Dasara in Mysuru is worth planning around.
Why Dasara Is on 20 October Elsewhere but 21 October in Mysuru
Many national calendars list Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Tuesday 20 October 2026, yet Mysuru holds its Jamboo Savari on Wednesday 21 October. Both are consistent with the panchang: the Dashami tithi begins around 12:50 pm on 20 October and ends around 2:11 pm on 21 October, so the day straddles both dates.
Mysuru’s schedule follows the Mysuru panchanga, which places Maha Navami on 20 October and Vijayadashami on 21 October, and the state holiday list follows the same pattern. That also makes this an eleven-day festival. If you are planning travel, go by the Mysuru schedule, not the all-India Dussehra date.
Jamboo Savari 2026: Time, Route and What to Expect
The Jamboo Savari is the finale of Mysuru Dasara. On Wednesday 21 October, a floral tribute is reported for roughly 4:10 to 4:35 pm, after which the procession leaves Mysore Palace. A line of decorated elephants leads the way, with the golden howdah carried at the front. Local reports say several elephants have been trained for that role this year. The procession moves for roughly five kilometres through the old city and ends at Bannimantapa, where the Banni (Shami) tree is worshipped. Tableaux, folk artists and bands walk with the elephants, so there is something to watch the whole way.
- Arrive early. Good viewing spots near the Palace fill up well before the afternoon start.
- Reach Mysuru by 20 October. Hotels and transport are tightest on the eve of the procession.
- Carry water and sun protection. Crowds are large and there is little shade.
- Plan your exit. Roads around the route close, so walk or use a lodging close to the Palace.
Mysore Dasara 2026 Tickets and Gold Card
Online booking for the major events opened on 21 September on the official portal, mysoredasara.gov.in. The administration has kept last year’s base prices.
| Gold Card | From about ₹6,500 per person (about ₹6,961 with charges), covering key attractions and seating at major events |
| Jamboo Savari seat | From about ₹3,500 |
| Torchlight parade | From about ₹1,500 |
| Drone show | From about ₹1,000 |
- One Gold Card or ticket admits one person only.
- The booking confirmation is a voucher. You must exchange it for the physical ticket before the event.
- Seat numbers are printed on Gold Cards and procession tickets this year.
- Buy only from the official portal and avoid unofficial sellers.
Prices are base rates reported in the press. Check the official site for the latest availability.
Other Dasara Highlights Beyond the Procession
- Palace illuminations. Mysore Palace is lit with tens of thousands of bulbs, reported daily from about 7 to 10 pm through the festival, and looks best after dark. Viewing from the grounds is free.
- Dasara exhibition. Held on the grounds opposite the Palace from 11 October and runs well into January.
- Torchlight parade. The Panjina Kavayatthu closes the celebrations on the evening of Vijayadashami and needs a ticket.
- Drone show. A ticketed show is planned for 17 and 18 October.
- Cultural programmes and Yuva Dasara. Music, dance and youth events run through the festival, with Yuva Dasara listed for 13 to 17 October.
- Kambala. A traditional buffalo race is scheduled at Sathagalli on 18 and 19 October.
A Simple 2-Day Plan for Dasara Week
Day 1: Palace, hills and lights. Start with a morning visit to Mysore Palace before the crowds build, then drive up Chamundi Hills to see the Chamundeshwari temple and the view over the city. Spend the afternoon at the Devaraja Market and the Dasara exhibition grounds. Return to the Palace after sunset to see it illuminated, and finish with a local dinner and a few cultural programmes.
Day 2: Jamboo Savari day. Eat early, reach your viewing spot well ahead of the afternoon procession, and stay with the crowd until the elephants pass. If you hold a torchlight parade ticket, plan the evening around it. Keep the morning after free for a slow breakfast and the journey home.
With an extra day, add Srirangapatna, Brindavan Gardens or the Mysore Zoo. See our full guide to the best places to visit in Mysuru for more ideas.
Practical Tips for Visiting During Dasara
- Book early. Hotels, trains and buses fill up fast. Fix your dates and reserve as soon as you can.
- Expect crowds. The Palace, the exhibition and the procession route get very busy on weekends and on the final days. 21 October is also a state holiday.
- Keep valuables safe. Carry only what you need, and keep phones and wallets secure in dense crowds.
- Carry photo ID. You need it to collect and use ticket vouchers.
- Dress for the weather. Wear light cotton and comfortable footwear for long walking, and carry a hat or umbrella for the sun.
- Check official updates. Programmes, timings and ticket arrangements are announced by the organisers and can change.
- Travel with patience. Road closures and parking limits near the Palace are common, so allow extra time to get around.
How to Reach Mysuru and Where to Stay
From Bengaluru: Mysuru is roughly 145 km away, about three hours by road. Trains and buses run frequently, but they sell out fast in festival week, so book early. Bengaluru is the nearest major airport.
Where to stay: Hotels near the Palace, Devaraja Market and Sayyaji Rao Road are the most convenient for the procession. Prices rise sharply during Dasara, so reserve as soon as your dates are fixed. If rooms are full, Srirangapatna and Kodagu make good alternative bases.
Looking for more to do after the festival? Plan the onward trip to Kodagu or head back via Bengaluru.