Mysore Dasara 2026 runs from 22 September to 2 October, with Vijayadashami and the grand Jamboo Savari procession on 2 October. Book hotels by late July — the best rooms go fast and prices double during the final three days. Plan 4–5 nights minimum to catch the key events without rushing.
When Should You Arrive in Mysore?
Arrive by Day 7 of the festival (28 September) at the latest. The first five days are low-key — cultural programmes inside the Mysore Palace grounds, primarily in Kannada, and interesting but not essential for out-of-state families. Days 7 to 10 are when the city comes alive: the Palace is illuminated every evening, the exhibition grounds fill up, and the energy is worth being present for.
If you only have a long weekend, arrive on 29 September (Day 8) and leave on 3 October.
Day-by-Day Plan for Families
Day 1 (Arrival, 28 or 29 September): Settle In and Orient
Check in before noon if possible. Mysore city centre is walkable from the Palace — hotels on Bangalore-Nilgiris Road and around Nazarbad give you an easier auto-rickshaw commute than staying on the city's outskirts.
Afternoon: Walk Devaraja Market (10 minutes from the Palace). Buy jasmine garlands, dry fruits, and sandalwood souvenirs here — prices are 30–40% lower than Palace-gate shops.
Evening: Watch the Palace illumination from 7:00 PM. The Palace lights up with nearly 100,000 bulbs. Arrive by 6:30 PM to get a position on the lawns. Entry is free during Dasara evenings. Kids under 10 tend to love this — it's genuinely spectacular and requires zero cultural context to enjoy.
Day 2: Mysore Palace and Chamundi Hills
Morning (open at 10:00 AM): Palace interior. Go on a weekday morning. Weekends see 2-hour queues. Ticket: ₹70 per adult, ₹30 per child (under 10 free). The Doll Exhibition (Gombe Habba) runs inside the Palace during Dasara — worth 20 minutes with children.
Afternoon: Chamundi Hills. 13 km from the Palace. Auto-rickshaw costs around ₹200–250 one way, or hire a cab for the day (₹900–1,200 full day is reasonable). The Nandi statue halfway up the hill is a good break point for younger children. Temple queue during Dasara can be 45–60 minutes — go after 3:00 PM when it shortens.
Evening: Return for Palace illumination or visit the Dasara Exhibition grounds on Irwin Road. The exhibition is family-friendly — rides, food stalls, and handicraft stalls.
Day 3: Zoo, Art Gallery, and Cultural Show
Morning: Mysore Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens). Opens at 8:30 AM. One of India's better-maintained zoos — tigers, gorillas, and a good reptile section. Budget 3 hours. Tickets: ₹100 adult, ₹50 child.
Afternoon: Jaganmohan Palace Art Gallery, 800 metres from the main Palace. Less crowded than the Palace, genuinely interesting Mysore-style paintings and palace artefacts. ₹50 entry.
Evening: Catch a Dasara cultural programme. The government stages free performances near the Palace bandstand area most evenings from 6:00 PM — folk dance, classical music. Check the official Dasara programme schedule on arrival as exact timings shift year to year.
Day 4: Day Trip to Srirangapatna or Brindavan Gardens
Srirangapatna is 16 km from Mysore on the Bangalore highway. Tipu Sultan's fort, the Ranganathaswamy Temple, and the Daria Daulat Bagh (his summer palace) can be covered in 3–4 hours. Cab hire: ₹600–800 for the round trip.
Alternatively, Brindavan Gardens (KRS Dam) is 19 km away. The musical fountain runs in the evening (6:30–8:00 PM) and children find it worth the trip. Go by 4:00 PM to beat the Dasara crowd rush. Entry: ₹30 per person for gardens, ₹80 for the fountain show.
Do one, not both, unless your children are genuinely enthused by sightseeing.
Day 5 (Vijayadashami, 2 October): Jamboo Savari Procession
This is the main event. The procession starts at 10:00 AM from the Palace and moves through the city to Bannimantap grounds, 4 km away.
Positioning options for families:
- Palace start point (Mysore Palace north gate area): Best for seeing the caparisoned elephant carrying the Chamundeshwari idol. Arrive by 7:30 AM to get a ground-level position. Extremely crowded by 9:00 AM.
- Sayyaji Rao Road (midway): More manageable crowd. You still see the full procession — elephants, tableaux, cavalry, brass bands. Arrive by 8:30 AM.
- Bannimantap grounds: The procession ends here. You see the Banni tree worship ceremony. Less chaotic, easier to leave after.
The procession lasts roughly 4–5 hours. Carry water, sunscreen, and a small snack. Portable chairs or a small mat help if you have toddlers. Avoid bringing a stroller — the crowd makes it unmanageable.
Evening: Torch-light parade at 7:30 PM at Bannimantap. Shorter, military-style, and excellent. Less crowded than the morning procession.
Where Should Families Stay During Dasara?
Stay within 3 km of the Palace. This matters — on Vijayadashami, roads are closed and auto-rickshaws charge surge rates (₹500+ for a 2 km trip).
Splurge options: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Mysore rates 9.1/10 from 2,541 reviews — the highest-rated hotel on this list and worth it if budget allows. Hotel Southern Star Mysore (8.7/10, 1,934 reviews) is another strong 5-star pick, well-located. Fortune JP Palace, Mysore - Member ITC Hotels' Group scores 8.6/10 from 2,463 reviews.
Heritage stay: Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel is 6 km from the city centre — further out, but the heritage property itself is part of the experience. Rated 8.0/10 from 4,146 reviews. Add ₹400–600 in cab costs per day.
Mid-range value: Parklane Hotel rates 8.3/10 from 2,572 reviews at 3-star pricing — good location, reliable service. Grand Mercure Mysore- An AccorHotels Brand (8.4/10, 2,230 reviews) is solid 5-star value if you book early.
Budget picks: Jal Mahal Resort And Spa (7.9/10, 1,713 reviews) and Livaana (7.6/10, 2,056 reviews) work for families watching costs. Aishwarya Le Royal is 2-star but rated 7.2/10 from 2,152 reviews — adequate if you're only sleeping there.
Avoid Hotel M.B. International — rated 4.8/10 from 1,990 reviews. The rating reflects real problems.
Practical Notes Worth Knowing
Getting to Mysore: Bangalore to Mysore is 145 km. The KSRTC Airavat bus (₹350–400 per seat) runs every 20–30 minutes from Majestic and is reliable. Cab hire is ₹2,200–2,800 one way. Train (Shatabdi or Intercity) is the most comfortable but books out 30–60 days ahead during Dasara.
Best time to visit Mysore more broadly is October–February. Dasara falls at the start of this window — check the full Mysore seasonal guide before finalising your trip.
Cash: Keep ₹2,000–3,000 in cash. Dasara street vendors and auto-rickshaws are cash-only. ATMs near the Palace run dry on Vijayadashami.
Footwear: Wear closed-toe shoes or sturdy sandals. The Vijayadashami procession route has uneven tarmac and you'll be standing for 3–4 hours.
City overview: For a broader look at what Mysore offers beyond Dasara, see the Mysore city guide.
FAQ
Do we need tickets for the Jamboo Savari procession? The roadside viewing is free — no tickets needed. The government does offer paid grandstand seating (released around August each year through the official Dasara website), which gives a fixed, shaded position. For families with young children, a grandstand ticket is worth it.
Is Mysore Dasara suitable for children under 5? The Palace illumination and zoo work well for toddlers. The Vijayadashami procession is hard with under-5s — long wait, extreme crowds, and no shade. Consider watching from a hotel rooftop if your accommodation is on the route, or skip the procession and catch only the evening torch-light parade instead.
How far in advance should we book hotels? For Dasara 2026, book now (August 2026 at the latest). The final three days (30 September–2 October) are the tightest. Rates rise 80–120% compared to non-festival periods.
Is it safe to eat street food at Dasara? Mysore's street food is generally reliable — corn, churumuri, and Mysore pak from established stalls near the Palace are fine. Avoid cut fruit from open carts during hot afternoon hours. Stick to cooked food and packaged drinks if anyone in the family has a sensitive stomach.