Mysore Dasara is a celebration of light, color, and music, with the city’s palace and streets illuminated with thousands of lights. It is a 10-day extravaganza (September 22 to October 2, 2025) celebrated in and around the majestic Mysore Palace. This festival commemorates the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari over the demon Mahishasura and is celebrated with grandeur and fervor. From illuminated palaces to vibrant street performances, Mysore Dasara is an experience like no other. Check out this festival guide!
Mysore Dasara Festival 2025
Mysore Dasara 2025 is a grand, culturally rich, and well-known traditional festival celebrated in Mysore, Karnataka. It is the state festival of Karnataka and symbolizes unity, culture, and heritage.
The festival was celebrated by the royals of the Vijaynagar Empire long ago. Even after the royal monarchy ended, the event retains its grandeur, continuing with government and royal family participation. The festival draws tourists worldwide, showcasing Karnataka’s history, mythology, and artistic excellence.
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Mythological Story Behind Mysore Dasara Celebrations
The story behind Mysore Dasara celebrations is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and royal history. According to legend, Mahishasura had terrorized the heavens and earth, and the gods prayed to Goddess Parvati, who took birth as Chamundeshwari to defeat him. She killed Mahishasura on the Chamundi Hills, near present-day Mysore, which is also where she is said to have resided after the victory.
This event signifies the triumph of good over evil and is the spiritual foundation of the Mysore Dasara festival. The city’s name, “Mysore,” itself is derived from “Mahishasurana Ooru,” meaning “the town of Mahishasura” in Kannada.
Historical Significance of Mysore Dasara
The festival was originally celebrated by the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 1400s. They made it a big event with music, dancing, and displays of soldiers and weapons to show strength.
When the Vijayanagara Empire fell, the Wodeyar kings of Mysore took over and continued celebrating Dasara from the early 1600s. They made it even grander by adding royal ceremonies, parades, and gatherings of nobles called durbars.
In the early 1800s, during the reign of a king named Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, the Dasara durbar became a major event. The king and his family would host a big royal celebration at Mysore Palace during Dasara. People from all over, including nobles and common folk, would come to see the king and be part of the celebrations. The most famous part of the festival became the “Jamboo Savari.”
Mysore Dasara Events
Jamboo Savari
Jamboo Savari is the grand elephant procession held on Vijayadashami during Mysore Dasara. The idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is placed on an ambari or golden howdah atop a beautifully decorated lead elephant.
The procession starts from Mysore Palace and ends at Bannimantap, featuring colorful floats, traditional dancers, musicians, horses, and camels. This magnificent parade celebrates the victory of good over evil and draws thousands of spectators every year.
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Mysore Dasara Torchlight Parade
The Mysore Dasara Torchlight Parade, held on the evening of Vijayadashami, is a spectacular event at the Bannimantapa grounds. Starting at around 7 pm, this parade features a grand military display with soldiers, horses, and a procession of torches, accompanied by mesmerizing drone and air shows.
The Maharaja traditionally arrives on horseback, saluted by the military units as the area is illuminated with bright lights. This parade is a tribute to the royal legacy of Mysore, showcasing the strength and valor of the kingdom. It concludes with a military band playing the national anthem.
Food Festival Mysore 2025
The Mysore Dasara Food Mela in 2025 will be held from September 26 to October 4 at the Maharaja’s College Grounds in Mysore. The food festival runs daily from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, offering a wide variety of traditional Karnataka dishes, regional Indian cuisines, and street foods. The festival features about 140 food stalls, including separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian sections, along with cultural programs in the evenings. Live cooking shows, cultural performances, wide range of cuisines including Mysore masala dosa, bisi bele bath, Mysore pak, and more are some of the highlights.
Other Mysore Dasara 2025 Events
With various cultural programs like dance, music, and palace illumination that take place almost every day for 10 days, these are other important events that take place during the Dasara celebrations.
- Inauguration at Chamundi Hills (22 September 2025)
- Food Mela at Maharaja College Ground (22 September 2025)
- Dasara Wrestling at Exhibition Authority Premises (22 September 2025)
- Yoga Dasara at JK Grounds (22 September 2025)
- Rangoli Competition at Amba Vilasa Palace Premises (23 September 2025)
- Heritage Walk and Heritage Cycling events at Town Hall (24-28 September 2025)
- Drone show at Torchlight Parade Grounds (29-30 September 2025)
- Couple Tonga Ride in traditional attire at Town Hall (29-30 September 2025)
- Grand Jamboo Savari elephant procession from Mysore Palace (2 October 2025)
- Evening Torchlight Parade combined with the Indian Air Force air show and Drone show at Bannimantap Grounds (2 October 2025)
Mysore Dasara 2025 Tickets
Apart from the major ticketed events like the Jamboo Savari and Torchlight Parade, many other Mysore Dasara events are free for the public. These include cultural programs, folk music, and dance performances.
- Jamboo Savari (Grand Elephant Procession) tickets cost around INR 3500 and are for the procession on October 2 at 10 am near Mysore Palace.
- Torchlight Parade tickets are available for the evening event on October 2 at Bannimantap grounds.
- Drone show tickets cost about INR 1000 for shows on September 28 and 29.
Mysore Dasara 2025 tickets can be booked online primarily through the official Karnataka Tourism website and the Mysore Dasara festival committee portal.
Summing Up
Witness the majestic Jamboo Savari procession, featuring decorated elephants, horses, and camels, and experience the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
From music and dance performances to traditional wrestling matches, Mysore Dasara is a treat for the senses, so make sure you do not miss it this year!
FAQ
1. Which elephant will carry ambari in 2025?
The elephant that will carry the Ambari (Golden Howdah) in Mysore Dasara 2025 is Abhimanyu. He is a 59-year-old elephant from the Mattigod elephant camp and will be performing as the lead elephant for the sixth time. Abhimanyu is renowned for his strength and has been a long-time participant in the festival’s Jamboo Savari procession.
2. What is Mysore Dasara lighting 2025 timings?
The Mysore Dasara Palace lighting in 2025 will take place every evening at 7:00 PM from September 22 to October 2.
3. Can we buy dasara tickets online 2025?
Yes, you can buy Mysore Dasara tickets 2025 online on the official Karnataka Tourism website and the Mysore Dasara festival committee portal.
4. What is food mela mysore 2025 timings?
The Mysore Food Festival 2025 will run daily from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. (September 26, 2025 to October 2, 2025)
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