MYSURU: Chief Minister D K Shivakumar flagged off the world-famous Mysuru Dasara procession at the palace premises during the Meena Lagna by offering flower petals to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari which was placed in the 750-kg golden howdah. The ambari was carried by elephant Prashanth this year after Abhimanyu’s retirement.
#WATCH | Mysuru: Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and Keralam CM VD Satheesan attend the Dasara Jamboo Savari procession. https://t.co/i7b9lEIrnV
— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2026
In a departure from practice, this year, Kerala CM V D Satheesan and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, who were invited as guests, also offered floral tributes to Goddess Chamundeshwari. So far, only the CM, Deputy CM, members of the Mysurur royal family, High Court Chief Justice, Kannada and Culture Minister, the Mysuru Police Commissioner, district deputy commissioner would offer floral tributes to the goddess.
ವಿಶ್ವವಿಖ್ಯಾತ ಮೈಸೂರು ದಸರಾ ಜಂಬೂ ಸವಾರಿ.
ನಾಡಿನ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ, ಪರಂಪರೆ ಮತ್ತು ವೈಭವದ ಅದ್ಭುತ ಅನಾವರಣ! 💛❤️
#MysuruDasara2026 https://t.co/Gljcxw02vs
— Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan (@drashwathcn) October 21, 2026
As the procession started from the palace premises, Sandalwood stars waved towards the people as crowds whistled on seeing the actors. Asian Games winners, RCB’s Shreyanka Patel, former captain of India team, Anil Kumble were also part of the procession. People climbed trees and buildings and lakhs had lined the roads to watch the Jamboo Savari as Prashanth walked in majestic gait carrying the ambari.
Earlier, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar offered puja to Nandi the Dhwaja during the Makara Lagna. The CM, who attracted attention wearing a Mysore Peta, refused to wear the flower garland brought for him. Instead, he instructed to put the garland brought for him to Nandi Dhwaja.
After offering puja to Nandi Dhwaja speaking with media he said, “This is a precious moment of my life. Today is unforgettable day for me. I have got the opportunity due to Mother Chamundi’s blessing, Mother’s blessing itself is big strength for us. I have prayed to Goddess Chamundi to bless us with rain and good crop. Mother Chamundi’s procession will go on a new elephant and lakhs of people have come to see this Dasara. From this Dasara, let hatred go away. Harmony should be built, injustice should be wiped out. There is injustice in every system in state, this injustice should go away and the future of youth should shine. May Mother’s grace be there for everything”, he prayed.
