Three South Indian Chief Ministers stood together on the steps of tradition — and the image said everything about the cultural bonds that outlast political boundaries. The Chief Minister's Office of Telangana confirmed on Wednesday, 21 October 2026 that Telangana Chief Minister Shri Revanth Anumula participated in the grand Mysuru Dasara celebrations in Mysuru, Karnataka, joining Karnataka Chief Minister Shri D.K. Shivakumar and Kerala Chief Minister Shri V.D. Satheesan for one of South India's most spectacular annual festivals.

Jamboo Savari and the devotion to Chamundeshwari

At the heart of the day was the iconic Jamboo Savari — the magnificent elephant procession that forms the beating pulse of every Dasara in Mysuru. CM Revanth Anumula witnessed the procession alongside the other chief ministers and distinguished dignitaries, as caparisoned elephants and vibrant tableaux moved through the streets, drawing crowds in their thousands. The procession celebrates the region's rich cultural heritage and pays homage to Sri Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of the Mysuru state.

Before the festivities began, CM Revanth Anumula ascended Chamundi Hill to offer prayers and perform special rituals at the revered Chamundeshwari Temple. Seeking the blessings of the Goddess, the visit underlined the deep devotional dimension of the Dasara festival — a tradition that stretches back centuries to the Wadiyar dynasty of Mysuru. The celebrations, as the CMO noted, 'showcased Karnataka's rich cultural heritage, age-old traditions, vibrant art forms, and deep-rooted devotion.'

Why a Telangana CM was in Mysuru

The visit is more than ceremonial courtesy. Chief ministers from neighbouring states routinely attend Mysuru Dasara, a practice that sits comfortably within India's federal culture — where grand regional festivals double as informal arenas for interstate engagement. For Telangana and Karnataka, the links run deep: shared history, overlapping linguistic communities, and closely connected economic corridors around Hyderabad and Bengaluru. CM Revanth Anumula, who has led Telangana since December 2023, has actively cultivated ties with South Indian counterparts.

The presence of leaders from three states at a single cultural event is itself a quiet signal — that the southern states, whatever their political configurations, find common ground in shared heritage.

Mysuru Dasara: ten days that Karnataka owns

Mysuru Dasara is a ten-day festival that culminates on Vijayadashami, drawing visitors from across India and beyond. The Jamboo Savari procession on the final day is its centrepiece — a living tableau of Karnataka's royal and cultural legacy, featuring decorated elephants, folk artists, and floral offerings. The Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hill, where the Chief Minister prayed, is integral to the festival's devotional core, with the Goddess regarded as the protective deity of the Mysuru region.

For a Telangana delegation to make the journey and participate with such visible engagement is a reminder that South India's cultural calendar belongs to all its people — not just the state that hosts it.