Jamboo Savari 2026 happens on Wednesday, October 21. It's the grand procession that closes Mysuru Dasara, when a golden howdah carries Goddess Chamundeshwari from Mysore Palace to Bannimantap. The Chief Minister performs the floral offering at 4:10 PM, and the procession leaves the Palace at 4:35 PM.
What Is Jamboo Savari?
'Jamboo Savari' means 'elephant procession' in Kannada. It concludes Mysuru Dasara, Karnataka's state festival, also called Nada Habba. A dozen decorated elephants walk through the city, led by one that carries a golden howdah bearing the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari. Bands, cavalry, and tableaux from every district of Karnataka join the march. The Mysore Dasara procession marks the tenth day of Navaratri, and it stands for the same thing the whole festival does: good winning over evil.
When Is the Jamboo Savari Date and Time in 2026?
The jamboo savari date for 2026 is Wednesday, October 21. Some calendars list Vijayadashami on October 20 instead. Mysuru runs on its own palace panchanga, and this year that places Dashami at sunrise on the 21st rather than the afternoon before. The state government has fixed its programme around the 21st, so plan your travel for that day, not the 20th.
The jamboo savari time runs in two stages. The Chief Minister performs the Nandi Dhwaja puja at 1:36 PM inside the Palace. Then comes the Pushparchane, the floral offering to the goddess in the golden howdah, from 4:10 to 4:35 PM. The elephant steps out right after, at 4:35 PM, and the procession begins.
What Is the Mysore Dasara Procession Route?
The mysore dasara procession route covers about 5 km. It starts at the Palace's Balarama Gate, turns onto Sayyaji Rao Road past K R Circle and Devaraja Market, and ends at the Bannimantap Grounds. At an elephant's pace, the walk takes a few hours.
The golden howdah has its own name: Chinnada Ambari. It's a teak frame plated with 80 kg of gold, and it weighs about 750 kg once the idol sits inside. Only the lead elephant carries it, picked years in advance and trained specifically for that weight.
Inspired by Mysuru’s royal heritage, cycle.in’s From Mysuru to the World gift set features an elephant-shaped ash catcher that echoes this iconic symbol.
What Happens at Mysore Palace During Dussehra?
Mysore Palace in Dussehra becomes the centre of the whole festival. Close to a lakh bulbs light it up every evening, usually from 7 to 10 PM. The Palace forecourt also hosts the start of Jamboo Savari itself, with the Nandi Dhwaja puja and Pushparchane happening right there before the elephants move.
For the full eleven-day programme, from the Navaratri pujas to the Torchlight Parade, our Mysuru Dasara 2026 guide covers the whole festival in one place.
Where to Watch Jamboo Savari?
Where to watch Jamboo Savari comes down to budget and how close you want to stand.
Free viewing is available along Sayyaji Rao Road, between K R Circle and Bannimantap. Try to arrive by 1 PM, as the area gets crowded quickly by early afternoon. Shade is limited, so carry water and plan accordingly.
Ticketed viewing has two good options. Palace forecourt galleries give the closest view of the actual departure, the Howdah Puja, and the elephants lining up under the Palace arches. These seats sell out first. Bannimantap stands cover both the procession's arrival and the Torchlight Parade from the same seat that evening.
If you're bringing young children or older relatives, skip the roadside crowd. The afternoon sun is harsh, and the crowd gets dense fast, so a ticketed gallery seat is the more comfortable call. Can't make it to Mysuru at all? The official Dasara site streams the whole procession live, with cameras at the Palace, K R Circle, and Bannimantap.
How Do You Get to Bannimantap?
Twelve parking hubs sit along the ring road, well outside the city centre, and free shuttles run from each one to the procession route starting at 9 AM. Don't try to drive or park anywhere near the Palace itself. Roads close at 11 AM on October 21, and they stay shut until the procession and Torchlight Parade are both done for the night.
How Do You Get Mysore Dasara Procession Tickets?
Mysore Dasara procession tickets are sold only through TicketGenie, the official booking partner. There's no other authorised seller, so skip anyone offering tickets elsewhere.
| Ticket | What it covers | Price |
| Gold Card | Palace, Chamundi Hill and Zoo entry, numbered Jamboo Savari seat, Torchlight Parade enclosure, Drone Show on your assigned date | ₹6,500 |
| Procession seat | Numbered seat, Palace forecourt, gates 10 AM to 12:30 PM | ₹3,500 |
| Torchlight Parade | Ticketed enclosure, Bannimantap, gates 4:30 to 6:30 PM | ₹1,500 |
| Drone Show | Free seating, October 17 and 18 only | ₹1,000 |
Looking for a Mysore Dasara ticket that covers more than one event? The Gold Card is the only one that bundles the Palace, the procession seat, and the Torchlight Parade together.
Planning the Dasara season at home too? Cycle.in's Dasara / Dussehra collection has festive puja essentials, and the Dasara Doll Stand is there if you're setting up a golu display this year.
