No scaling down Mysuru Dasara, says D.K. Shivakumar
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that the 2026 Mysuru Dasara will be celebrated as an 11-day festival with full grandeur. Despite concerns over drought conditions, the government intends to maintain traditional festivities and illumination to preserve the state's cultural heritage.
Why it matters
The decision highlights the tension between fiscal responsibility during environmental crises and the preservation of cultural tourism and state identity.
The Karnataka government has decided to celebrate the 2026 Mysuru Dasara as an 11-day festival with grandeur while introducing new programmes that showcase the State’s cultural heritage, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Friday.
Speaking after a preparatory meeting at Vidhana Soudha, Mr. Shivakumar said Gajapooja would be held on August 26, the Dasara inauguration on October 11, and the Jumboo Savari, along with Nandi Pooja, on October 21.
An executive committee will be constituted shortly to oversee the arrangements. The government will also approach the Centre for permission to organise an air show as part of the festivities. The committee will recommend the dignitary to inaugurate the festival, with the final decision to be taken by the Chief Minister.
Rejecting calls to scale down the celebrations due to drought-like conditions, Mr. Shivakumar said Mysuru Dasara is Karnataka’s cultural pride, and there was “no question” of holding a subdued festival.
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