Plan your trip · Mysuru
What's on in Mysuru
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Mysuru — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Mysuru right now, so here is the year instead — the fixtures that come round annually, and what each one means for a visit.
The year in Mysuru
Mysuru packs most of its outdoor calendar into the cooler months; the pre-monsoon peak is hot enough that daytime processions are genuinely hard going. Broadly, Oct – Mar is when visiting is most comfortable here, and that is when the calendar is busiest — which also means accommodation is most expensive and books furthest ahead.
Most of these follow lunar calendars and move by weeks from year to year, so treat the windows below as the season rather than the date, and confirm the year’s dates before you book around one.
Signature to Mysuru
Mysuru Dasara
🗓️ September–OctoberThe palace lit every evening, ending with the Jamboo Savari elephant procession.
Planning: The lighting alone justifies an evening; the final procession needs a booked vantage point.
Nationwide
Diwali
🗓️ October–NovemberThe biggest holiday of the year — lamps, sweets, fireworks and a week of visiting family. Cities are lit up and markets stay open late.
Holi
🗓️ MarchColoured powder and water, thrown at anyone within reach, mostly through the morning.
Navratri and Dussehra
🗓️ September–OctoberNine nights of fasting, music and dance, ending with Dussehra. What it looks like changes completely by region — garba in Gujarat, pandals in Bengal, processions in the south.
Eid al-Fitr
🗓️ shifts ~11 days earlier each yearThe end of Ramadan. The old quarters of Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bhopal are at their best in the evenings through the preceding month, when food streets run past midnight.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
🗓️ mid-JanuaryThe harvest turn, marked with kites in the west and north and four days of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Mysuru's calendar is built around Dasara, the ten-day festival that the city has celebrated with royal ceremony for centuries. The palace is lit every evening, there are cultural shows, food fairs and exhibitions across the city, and it ends with the Jamboo Savari, when an elephant carries the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari in a golden howdah from the palace towards Bannimantap, followed by a torchlight parade.
Outside Dasara, Sunday evenings at the palace, when the building is lit up, are the city's regular event. Diwali, Makar Sankranti and Christmas at St. Philomena's Church are also celebrated. Festival dates change each year, so check them before you book.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Mysuru
- Book your stay well ahead for Dasara, as the city fills up weeks in advance.
- For the Jamboo Savari, reach your viewing spot early or book a seat through the official Dasara passes.
- Expect road closures and heavy traffic around the palace during Dasara.
- Carry water and a cap, as daytime events can be hot.
- Keep your phone and wallet secure in large crowds.
- Arrive at the palace before 7 pm on Sundays to see the lights switch on.
Questions
Mysuru — FAQ
What is Mysuru Dasara?
Mysuru Dasara is a ten-day festival in honour of Goddess Chamundeshwari, usually held in late September or October. The palace is lit every evening, and the festival ends with the Jamboo Savari elephant procession.
What is the Jamboo Savari?
The Jamboo Savari is the procession on the last day of Dasara. A decorated elephant carries the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari in a golden howdah from the palace to Bannimantap, with bands, dancers and floats.
How can I watch the Jamboo Savari?
You can watch from the roadside along the route, or buy a pass for seating inside the palace grounds or at Bannimantap. Passes sell out fast, so check the official Dasara website early.
Is Mysore Palace lit up every day during Dasara?
Yes. During Dasara the palace is usually lit every evening, not just on Sundays, which makes it the best time for night photos.