Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar arrived in Mysuru on Wednesday, 21 October with his family to participate in the Jamboo Savari — the grand finale of the Mysuru Dasara festival — marking Vijayadashami. He was accorded a guard of honour upon landing at Mysuru Airport.

What the Jamboo Savari Entails

The Jamboo Savari is the ceremonial culmination of the 10-day Mysuru Dasara festival, widely regarded as one of India's most spectacular cultural events. At its heart is the sacred idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, placed atop a 750-kg golden howdah (Ambari) mounted on the lead elephant. The procession covers 5 km from the iconic Mysore Palace to Bannimantap Grounds, accompanied by colourful folk troupes, district and state tableaux, military contingents, police bands, and marching columns. The festivities conclude with the traditional Torchlight Parade, known as the Panjina Kavayat, on the outskirts of the city.

Chief Ministers Join the Celebrations

This year's Jamboo Savari drew participation from across the country's political leadership. Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy were among the prominent dignitaries attending the event alongside CM Shivakumar.

What CM Shivakumar Said

Speaking to reporters after his arrival, CM Shivakumar extended greetings to all those witnessing the Dasara celebrations and offered a prayer to Goddess Chamundeshwari. 'Those from across the country and international visitors witnessing the grand Dasara celebrations today should receive the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari. May the goddess remove all sorrows from their lives and ensure that good things happen to everyone. This is my wish,' he said.

Shivakumar noted that the celebrations had gained significant reach through live telecasts and social media, with young people sharing reels that carried the festivities beyond national borders. He expressed satisfaction over the Indian Air Force air show and the drone show, both of which, he said, had enhanced the visitor experience.

Surge in Visitors Creates Accommodation Crunch

The scale of this year's Dasara drew an unusually large influx of visitors, resulting in a shortage of accommodation in Mysuru. Hotels in the city, neighbouring Madikeri district, and areas on the road into Bengaluru were reportedly fully occupied, causing inconvenience to tourists. The Chief Minister said authorities had put traffic management arrangements in place to handle the surge.

Cultural Events and What Comes Next

The traditional Kambala buffalo race also drew a strong response, according to Shivakumar, who cited positive feedback from ministers and legislators across districts. He urged media cooperation in ensuring wider coverage of the Dasara festivities and said visitor feedback from this year's event would be used to improve the conduct of future editions. Notably, this is the 21 October 2026 Vijayadashami edition, and the government's stated intent is to use it as a benchmark for scaling up Mysuru Dasara's international profile in the years ahead.