Mysuru Dasara emblem MysuruDasaraSince 1610 AD
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The grand finale

The Jumboo Savari

On the afternoon of Vijayadashami the goddess leaves the Palace in a howdah of gold on the back of the lead elephant, and the whole city walks with her to Bannimantap. It is the single most-watched event in Karnataka.

21 October 2026Pushparchane 4:10 PM · then the processionPalace → Bannimantap · 5 km
The golden howdah carried past Amba Vilas Palace
The golden howdah carried past Amba Vilas Palace
750kg golden howdah
5 kmPalace to Bannimantap
12+caparisoned elephants
50+tableaux & troupes
4:35 PMprocession begins
From the Palace gate to <em>Bannimantap</em>
The route

From the Palace gate to Bannimantap

The procession leaves through the Balarama Gate, turns onto Sayyaji Rao Road past K R Circle and the Devaraja Market, and follows the road north to the Bannimantap grounds. Along the way are the elephants, the Palace cavalry and camel corps, mounted police, the tableaux of every district of Karnataka, and folk troupes from across the state.

  • Balarama Gate → K R Circle → Sayyaji Rao Road → Bannimantap
  • Roads close from 11 AM on procession day
  • The lead elephant reaches Bannimantap in the evening, ahead of the Torchlight Parade
<em>Chinnada Ambari</em>
The golden howdah

Chinnada Ambari

The howdah is of teak, plated with 80 kilograms of gold, and weighs about 750 kilograms with its idol. Only the lead elephant — chosen and trained for years for the role — carries it. Before the procession the Chief Minister performs the Nandi Dhwaja puja at 1:36 PM and, with the dignitaries, offers flowers — the Pushparchane — to the goddess in the howdah at 4:10 PM; then the elephant steps out.

  • 80 kg of gold on a teak frame
  • Carried by the lead elephant only
  • Nandi Dhwaja puja 1:36 PM · Pushparchane 4:10 – 4:35 PM
The <em>Torchlight Parade</em>
After dark

The Torchlight Parade

As the procession reaches Bannimantap the festival’s closing act begins. The Palace cavalry ride in formation by torchlight, the police and paramilitary bands play, motorcycle daredevils and gymnasts perform, and the evening ends in a burst of fireworks over the grounds. It is the formal close of Dasara. The same ground hosts the drone shows at 8 PM on 17, 18, 20 and 21 October.

  • Bannimantap Grounds, 20 & 21 October from 7 PM
  • Cavalry, bands, daredevils, laser show
  • Drone show at 8 PM on 17, 18, 20 & 21 October
Questions

Procession day

When exactly does it start?
By the Palace panchanga for 2026: the Nandi Dhwaja puja by the Chief Minister is at 1:36 – 1:56 PM on 21 October, the Pushparchane to the goddess in the golden howdah at 4:10 – 4:35 PM, and the procession leaves the Palace after that. The elephant steps out only at the auspicious moment.
Can I get near the elephant?
No. The route is barricaded and the lead elephant is escorted. The Palace gallery seats and the Bannimantap stands are the closest ticketed positions.
Is there a live stream?
Yes — the whole procession is streamed on this site from cameras at the Palace, K R Circle and Bannimantap. See Live streams.
Where do I park?
Not in the city centre. Twelve parking hubs on the ring road run free shuttles to the route from 9 AM. See Parking & routes.
What about small children?
The crowd on Sayyaji Rao Road is dense and the afternoon is hot. The ticketed galleries are the sensible choice with young children.
DASARA 2026
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