Plan your sacred journey to the Grand Temples of South India
Mysuru Dasara and the Chamundeshwari Temple
Mysuru Dasara is Karnataka's state festival, ten days from Navaratri to Vijayadashami that open with puja at the Chamundeshwari temple on Chamundi Hill. Devotees believe the goddess slew Mahishasura on this hill, and on the last day her idol rides through the city on a golden howdah.
What happens
- The festival opens with a Chamundeshwari puja at the hilltop temple at an auspicious hour. In 2026 it fell between 11:50 am and 12:13 pm on 11 October.
- Through Navaratri the goddess is decorated in nine ways, one for each Navadurga. On the seventh night, Kalaratri, jewels donated by the Maharajas are brought from the district treasury to the temple.
- Each evening the Mysore Palace is lit from 7 pm to 10 pm, and on Vijayadashami night until midnight.
- On Vijayadashami the Jamboo Savari carries the goddess in the golden howdah, about 750 kg with its idol, from the Palace about 5 km to Bannimantap. In 2026 lakhs of people lined the route.
- The torchlight parade follows that evening at the Bannimantap grounds. Three days later the Chamundeshwari Rathotsava, the chariot festival, is held on the hill.
Sources: mysoredasara.gov.in, en.wikipedia.org, mysoredasara.gov.in, mysoredasara.gov.in · checked 30 Oct 2026
Where families go
- Timings and guide
Chamundeshwari Temple
Mysuru
The festival is inaugurated at this hilltop temple, and the goddess is dressed in a different form on each night of Navaratri.
When to go
Dasara falls in September or October. In 2026 it ran from 11 to 21 October, and the temple authority counted more than 6.6 lakh devotees on the hill over those days.
| Date | What | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Sep 2027Thu | Navaratri begins (Dasara inauguration) | The panchangam start of Sharad Navaratri for Mysuru. The official schedule, with the puja hour on the hill, was not yet announced. |
| 9 Oct 2027Sat | Vijayadashami and Jamboo Savari | The panchangam date for Vijayadashami in Mysuru. The procession leaves the Palace in the afternoon; the Dasara committee may fix 10 October instead. |
Sources: starofmysore.com, drikpanchang.com, drikpanchang.com · checked 30 Oct 2026
Before you go
- Good to knowThe official Dasara site suggests going up the hill at 7 am to beat the heat and the queues. A lift runs from the car park to the temple.
- DressModest dress is expected in the temples and the Palace Durbar Hall, and footwear is removed.
- SafetyOn procession day in 2026, private vehicles were held at parking hubs outside the centre from 11 am, with free shuttles. The free viewing stretch on Sayyaji Rao Road fills by early afternoon.
- BookingIn 2026 the official site sold Gold Cards from ₹6,500 and procession enclosure seats from ₹3,500; sales had closed by 30 Oct. The route, palace lights and stages are free.
- What to carryCarry water, a hat and as little else as you can. Bags are checked at every enclosure, and the official site suggests ticketed galleries for young children.
- OfficialMysuru Dasara, official site (Official)
- OfficialChamundeshwari Temple, Karnataka Tourism (Official)
Rituals, fees and timings are set by each temple. Where the temple sells a seva or ticket, book it only on its official channel.
Sources: mysoredasara.gov.in, mysoredasara.gov.in, mysoredasara.gov.in · checked 30 Oct 2026
Questions Families Ask
When is Mysuru Dasara in 2027?
The official site had not announced 2027 dates on 30 Oct 2026. A panchangam puts Navaratri's start on 30 September and Vijayadashami on 9 October; the procession could fall on 10 October.
Where does Mysuru Dasara begin?
At the Chamundeshwari temple on Chamundi Hill, with a puja at an auspicious hour on the first day of Navaratri.
What is the Jamboo Savari?
The Vijayadashami procession, which carries the goddess in a golden howdah from the Palace to Bannimantap. In 2026 lakhs of people lined the route.
How crowded is Chamundi Hill during Dasara?
Very. In 2026 more than 6.6 lakh devotees came over the festival, with over one lakh on Kalaratri night. Go up early in the morning.
Plan your trip for Mysuru Dasara and Chamundeshwari
Opens with this temple already added. See each day with darshan hours, drive times and rough costs.
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