Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Karnataka Selects Gavimath Seer to Inaugurate Mysuru Dasara
Mysuru Dasara is a major festival in Karnataka.
This year, Sri Abhinava Gavisiddheshwara Mahaswamiji will open the festival.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar invited him by phone and he agreed.
The opening ceremony will happen on October 11 at Chamundi Hill.
Karnataka is facing drought, but the government says the festival will not be small or quiet.
Fourteen trained elephants are practicing for the Jumbo Savari procession.
The procession will carry a 750-kilogram golden howdah over about 4.5 kilometers.
Visitors can also see Kambala, a Food Mela and Yuva Dasara.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that Sri Abhinava Gavisiddheshwara Mahaswamiji will inaugurate Mysuru Dasara.
The seer accepted Shivakumar’s invitation during a telephone conversation on Thursday.
The inauguration will take place atop Chamundi Hill on October 11.
Shivakumar ruled out holding low-key celebrations despite drought conditions in Karnataka.
The festival will include Jumbo Savari on October 21, Kambala, a Food Mela and Yuva Dasara.
- Who
- Sri Abhinava Gavisiddheshwara Mahaswamiji will inaugurate the festival, following an invitation from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
- What
- The annual Mysuru Dasara festivities will be inaugurated, with multiple cultural and public events planned.
- When
- The inauguration is scheduled for October 11; Jumbo Savari is scheduled for October 21.
- Where
- The inauguration will be held atop Chamundi Hill in Mysuru; Kambala will be hosted in Sathagalli.
- Why
- The government is proceeding with the State festival despite drought conditions in Karnataka.
Full Festival Celebration
Drought-Related Restraint
Scale of the festivities
Full Festival Celebration
The government says Mysuru Dasara will proceed as a major State festival and has ruled out low-key celebrations.
Drought-Related Restraint
The festival is taking place while Karnataka faces prevailing drought conditions, a factor raised during the Assembly discussion.
- Inaugurator
- Sri Abhinava Gavisiddheshwara Mahaswamiji of Gavimath in Koppal
- Inauguration date
- October 11
- Inauguration venue
- Chamundi Hill, Mysuru
- Jumbo Savari date
- October 21
- Elephants participating
- 14 trained elephants
- Golden howdah weight
- 750 kilograms
- Additional attractions
- Kambala, Food Mela and Yuva Dasara
