Four things define Mysore Palace Dasara: the Wadiyar family’s private durbar on a golden throne, the worship of royal weapons on Mahanavami, the Golden Howdah carrying Goddess Chamundeshwari during the Vijayadashami procession, and the Palace illuminated by about one lakh bulbs every festival evening.
What happens at Mysore Palace during Dasara?
The Palace runs two programmes in parallel: the public Dasara celebrations organised by the state government and the private royal rituals conducted by the Wadiyar family.
In 2026, Dasara is celebrated from October 11 to October 21. The festival opens on Chamundi Hill on October 11, and the Palace begins its own rituals the same morning. Plan your visit to Mysore Palace during Dasara with this in mind: the royal rituals and the public events run on separate schedules. For a detailed day-by-day schedule of public events and celebrations, explore our Mysuru Dasara 2026 guide.
Important Tip: The Palace panchanga fixes the timings of royal rituals. The government publishes the public programme at mysoredasara.gov.in. The two cover different events, so check both before you plan your day.
How does the private durbar work?
The private durbar, called the Khasagi Durbar, is the best-known royal ritual. Krishnaraja Wadiyar III held the first durbar at the Palace in 1805, and the family continues the custom today.
The Golden Throne remains dismantled and securely stored for most of the year. Before Navaratri, about 20 Palace staff bring the parts out of the strong room and assemble them in the Durbar Hall, as Star of Mysore reported this year. Mysore Palace in Dussehra is the only time the throne goes on display.
The ritual begins at dawn on the first day. The 2026 schedule set the joining of the carved lion to the throne (Simha Jodane) at 6 AM and the tying of the sacred thread (Kankana Dharane) at 8:35 AM. It set the ascent, called Simhasanarohana, from 11:45 AM to 12:05 PM. Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, the head of the former royal family, then holds the durbar through Navaratri.
The durbar is a private religious ritual with its own priests and customs. The Palace decides what visitors can see.
What is the Golden Howdah?
The Golden Howdah, called the Chinnada Ambari (ಚಿನ್ನದ ಅಂಬಾರಿ ) in Kannada, is the seat that carries Goddess Chamundeshwari’s idol during the Jamboo Savari. It weighs about 750 kg. People often call it solid gold. In fact, a wooden frame sits under gold sheets that weigh about 80 kg.
Traditionally, the Maharajas rode in the Golden Howdah during the procession. Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar was the last Maharaja to do so in 1969. Today, the Golden Howdah carries the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari during the Jamboo Savari. The lead elephant is trained for years before it carries the load. Abhimanyu carried the howdah six times and retired after turning 60. For the 2026 Jamboo Savari, Dhananjaya emerged as the frontrunner among the shortlisted elephants to carry the Golden Howdah. The Forest Department will confirm the final selection after assessing the elephants during training.
Cycle’s From Mysuru to the World gift set features an elephant-shaped ash catcher inspired by Mysuru’s royal heritage. Our Jamboo Savari 2026 guide covers the route, viewing spots and tickets.
How does Ayudha Puja unfold at the Palace?
Ayudha Puja falls on Mahanavami, which is October 20 in 2026. At the Palace, the head of the family worships the armoury, including the royal sword (Pattada Katti), palanquins and other emblems. Reports from earlier years also mention homas, including a Chandi Homa. Elephants and horses receive their own puja that day, known as Gaja-Ashva Puja.
Karnataka households follow the same idea on a smaller scale. They worship tools, vehicles, and books, and many pair Ayudha Puja with Saraswati Puja. Families with young children can add the Saraswati Puja Kit and Stotra Booklet combo, made for ages 4 and above.
For a step-by-step explanation of the rituals, refer to our Saraswati Puja guide.
What happens inside the Palace on Vijayadashami?
Date check: Some national calendars mark Vijayadashami on October 20. Mysuru follows its Palace panchanga, so the Palace rituals and the Jamboo Savari fall on October 21.
Mysore Palace Dussehra rituals follow a set order, according to reports from recent years. Exact timing changes every year.
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The head of the family offers puja to the Pattada Katti and the royal weapons.
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The sword travels in a palanquin in the Vijaya Yatre. The Palace’s ceremonial elephant, horse, cow and camel walk with it.
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At the banni tree near the Bhuvaneshwari temple inside the Palace grounds, he performs the Shami Puja.
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He returns to the Palace and prays to Goddess Chamundeshwari, which closes the Navaratri rituals.
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The public programme takes over. The Nandi Dhwaja Puja runs from 1:36 to 1:56 PM, flowers go to the goddess in the howdah from 4:10 to 4:35 PM, and the procession leaves for Bannimantap after 4:35 PM.
The procession ends at Bannimantap, where devotees worship the banni tree. Our Vijayadashami explainer tells the story behind the last day.
How does the Mysore Dasara lighting work?
The Mysore Dasara lighting starts at 7 PM. About 100,000 incandescent bulbs outline the Palace every evening until 10 PM. News Karnataka reports that the official 2026 schedule extends the Palace lighting to midnight on Sundays and on Vijayadashami. That makes Sunday, October 18, a good night for a late visit. Watching from the road costs nothing.
The power company CESC also lights the city. Local reports say this year’s work covers about 146 km of roads, 123 traffic circles and over 80 themed installations.
Outside the festival, the Palace lights up on Sundays and public holidays, from about 7 to 8 PM. Dasara brings lighting every night.
At home, hand-painted earthen diyas along the doorstep give a small version of the same glow.
When should you visit Mysore Palace during Dasara?
Crowds at Mysore Palace during Dussehra are largest on Vijayadashami. Pick your day by what you want to see.
| What you want to see | Best day in 2026 | What happens |
| The lighting | Any evening | Lights run from 7 to 10 PM |
| Late-night lighting | Sunday, October 18 | Lighting continues until midnight |
| Royal weapon worship | Tuesday, October 20 | Ayudha Puja on Mahanavami |
| The procession | Wednesday, October 21 | Floral offering at 4:10 PM, departure after 4:35 PM |
Dasara runs eleven days this year, one day longer than usual. Our explainer on how many days Mysuru Dasara lasts covers the reason.
Why is the Palace the centre of Dasara?
Dasara marks Goddess Chamundeshwari’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, and Mysuru takes its name from him. Raja Wadiyar I revived an old Vijayanagara custom in 1610 at Srirangapatna. Since the early 19th century, the Palace grounds have hosted it every year.
The present Palace was completed in 1912, after a fire destroyed the earlier wooden building in 1897. British architect Henry Irwin designed it.
How can you mark Dasara at home?
You can bring the Mysore Palace Dussehra celebration home in small ways. Many Karnataka homes set up gombe, or tiered doll displays, during Navaratri. The Palace also has its own doll pavilion, the Gombe Thotti, near its entrance. A tiered Dasara Doll Stand can help you create a similar festive display at home. You can complement it with traditional puja rituals and festive decorations.
