Drought no dampener to grand Mysuru Dasara starting today
The Mysuru Dasara festival is set to begin despite severe drought conditions in the Cauvery basin. The state government has decided to proceed with the celebrations to support the local economy and tourism, featuring traditional rituals and modern attractions like drone shows.
Why it matters
The decision highlights the tension between maintaining cultural heritage and economic drivers versus the reality of environmental and resource crises.
Starting Sunday, Mysuru is set to immerse itself in the grandeur of ‘Nada Habba’ (State festival), with the 2026 Dasara promising a blend of royal traditions, cultural extravaganza and new attractions, including a citywide illumination, mega drone show, and the first-ever Kambala. The celebrations, ending on October 21, promise a blend of centuries-old traditions with contemporary spectacle.
Though this year’s Dasara is unfolding against the backdrop of severe drought, with water availability in the Cauvery basin grim, the State government under Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has decided against scaling down the festivities. The government has maintained that Dasara is also an important tourism and economic event that generates business for the hospitality and other sectors, providing a boost to the local economy.
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