Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Mysuru Dasara Opens With Calls to Protect Rivers and Education
Mysuru’s Dasara festival began on Sunday at Chamundi Hill.
Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swamiji opened the celebration.
He asked people and the state government to help protect important rivers, including the Cauvery, Krishna and Tungabhadra.
He also said people can help the environment by planting and caring for trees.
The Swamiji encouraged people to support schools in their communities.
The festival has events such as a flower show, food mela, sports meet and brightly lit roads.
Its final procession, called the jumbo savari, is planned for October 21.
A decorated elephant will carry a golden howdah with an idol of Chamundeshwari.
The city’s road lights are scheduled to remain on until October 31.
Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swamiji inaugurated Mysuru Dasara-2026 atop Chamundi Hill on Sunday.
The Swamiji urged the state to conserve the Cauvery, Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers and called for efforts to protect water and the environment.
He encouraged people to support local schools, citing Harekala Hajabba, who built a school by selling fruit.
Festivities include a flower show, food mela, sports meet and illumination of 146 kilometres of city roads.
The celebration concludes October 21 with a jumbo savari carrying a 750-kilogram golden howdah; road illumination is scheduled to continue until October 31.
- Who
- Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swamiji inaugurated the festivities; state officials also opened festival events.
- What
- Mysuru Dasara-2026 was inaugurated, with appeals to conserve rivers and support education.
- When
- Inaugurated on Sunday; the festivities end October 21, while road illumination continues until October 31.
- Where
- Chamundi Hill and locations across Mysuru, including Mysore Palace premises and Bannimantap.
- Why
- The Swamiji called for protection of rivers and the environment and for contributions to schools as a foundation for social progress.
Environmental and education appeals
Festival arrangements and celebrations
River and environmental conservation
Environmental and education appeals
The Swamiji urged the state and public to protect rivers, water and the environment, including by planting and caring for saplings.
Festival arrangements and celebrations
The article also details festival attractions and arrangements, including the procession, food mela and city-road illumination; it does not report a response to the conservation appeal.
Support for local education
Environmental and education appeals
The Swamiji cited Harekala Hajabba’s effort to build a school and encouraged people to contribute to schools in their villages or nearby communities.
Festival arrangements and celebrations
The report describes the festival programme and officials’ roles but gives no opposing view on the education appeal.
- Festival
- Mysuru Dasara-2026
- Inauguration
- Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swamiji of Koppal inaugurated the festivities atop Chamundi Hill.
- Rivers named
- Cauvery, Krishna and Tungabhadra
- Jumbo savari
- Scheduled for October 21; a designated tamed elephant will carry a 750-kg golden howdah with an idol of Chamundeshwari.
- Procession route
- Mysore Palace premises to Bannimantap through K.R. Circle and Sayyaji Rao Road.
- Road illumination
- 146 kilometres of city roads; illumination is scheduled to end October 31.
- Other events
- Flower show at Kuppanna Garden, food mela at Maharaja’s College Grounds and Dasara sports meet.