Ten days of royal heritage in Mysuru, ending with the procession and a torchlight parade.
The story
- The Vijayanagara kings marked at Hampi with nine days of military display; after their fall in 1565, the Wadiyars of Mysuru carried the tradition on.
- Raja Wadiyar I first held Dasara at Srirangapatna in 1610, and it has run almost without a break since.
- Since the 1970s the state has held it as the Nada Habba, the festival of the land, and the goddess Chamundeshwari rides the golden howdah in place of the king.
What happens
- First day
Inauguration on
The festival opens at the Chamundeshwari Temple at 11:50 am.
and torchlight parade
, and the first torchlight parade.
The grand finale procession, followed by the closing torchlight parade. Most north Indian calendars mark a day earlier.
Best places to see it
What to eat
Mysore pak
A rich gram-flour and ghee sweet made in large quantities during Dasara; ask for the soft one, warm.
Guru Sweets near Devaraja Market.
Mylari dosa
A soft, spongy dosa with coconut chutney and butter, served in Mysuru since 1938.
Vinayaka Mylari on Nazarbad Main Road (check the address: copies exist).
Know before you go
- Book your stay in Mysuru early.
- Check the official announcement for procession seating passes.
- can differ by a day on ; go by the dates shown on this page.
Organised by
Government of Karnataka (Mysuru district administration)