Quick answer
Mysuru Dasara is Karnataka's state festival, held over the ten days of Navaratri in late September or October. The palace is lit with nearly one lakh bulbs every evening, and on Vijayadashami the Jamboo Savari elephant procession carries the goddess Chamundeshwari through the city. Buy a Gold Card for a guaranteed seat and book hotels six to eight weeks ahead.
Highlights
- Mysore Palace lit with nearly one lakh bulbs every evening
- The Jamboo Savari elephant procession with the golden howdah
- The torchlight parade at Bannimantap
- Concerts in the palace courtyard and the Dasara Exhibition
- Chamundi Hills and Srirangapatna close by
What actually happens
Mysuru's Dasara has been celebrated with royal patronage since the Wodeyar kings in the early 17th century, and the state now runs it as Nada Habba, Karnataka's state festival. It opens on the first day of Navaratri with a puja to the goddess Chamundeshwari on Chamundi Hills. For the next ten evenings, Mysore Palace is lit with nearly one lakh bulbs, usually from about 7 pm to 10 pm, and there are concerts in the palace courtyard, a food festival, wrestling bouts, a flower show and the long-running Dasara Exhibition.
On Vijayadashami afternoon comes the Jamboo Savari: a procession of tableaux, bands and caparisoned elephants, led by an elephant carrying the golden howdah with the idol of Chamundeshwari, from the palace to Bannimantap, about 5 km away. That evening, the torchlight parade at the Bannimantap grounds closes the festival.
Best days to go
Any evening gives you the illuminated palace. For a three-night trip, arrive two days before Vijayadashami and stay for the procession. Weekday evenings early in the festival are calmer.
Tickets: the Gold Card
The Gold Card, sold online by the Dasara committee in limited numbers, gives reserved seats for the Jamboo Savari and the torchlight parade, plus entry to several attractions. It cost about ₹6,000–7,000 at the time of review and sells out fast. Without a seat, claim a spot on the route by late morning.
Where to stay
Mysuru hotels that charge ₹2,500–4,500 normally ask ₹3,500–7,000 in Dasara week; book six to eight weeks ahead. Bengaluru is about 145 km away, roughly three hours by road or two by train, if you need a fallback.
Crowds, photography and what to wear
Lakhs line the route on Vijayadashami, and the palace grounds are packed on weekend evenings. Keep children close and carry water. Photography is fine outside, but not inside the palace. Do not use flash on the elephants. October is around 28°C with occasional showers: cotton clothes, comfortable shoes and a small umbrella.
Combining it
Add Srirangapatna, Coorg (about 120 km) or Ooty via Bandipur. See things to do in Mysuru, where to stay in Mysuru, the best time to visit Coorg and our October ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Mysuru Dasara Gold Card?
When is Mysore Palace lit up?
Can I see the Jamboo Savari without a ticket?
How many days do I need for Mysuru Dasara?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
