The 416th edition of the world-renowned Mysuru Dasara commenced with traditional rituals atop Chamundi Hill on October 11, 2026. Abhinava Sri Gavisiddeshwara Mahaswamiji of Gavimutt, Koppal, formally inaugurated the Nada Habba by showering flower petals on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, who was adorned in a silk saree and gold and diamond jewellery on a silver chariot. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar led the festival for the first time in his capacity as CM, accompanied by his wife Usha Shivakumar and District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah.
The ceremonial lamp was lit at 12.08 pm during the Dhanur Lagna, which occurred between 11.50 am and 12.13 pm. Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda presided over the event, where Shivakumar, dressed in a traditional silk dhoti and shirt, received a red carpet and Poorna Kumbha welcome from temple priests and folk troupes. Usha Shivakumar wore a blue and cream saree. Prior to the inauguration, the Swamiji performed ‘Agra Puja’ at the sanctum sanctorum with the Chief Minister and other ministers, later placing a shawl and garland on Shivakumar. Temple chief priest Dr. N. Shashishekar Dixit offered prasadam to the Swamiji and the Chief Minister couple, who bowed in reverence before the deity. Special pujas to the Goddess had begun at 5 am, and the presiding deity will be adorned with different alankaras during Navaratri.
Earlier at the entrance to Chamundi Hill, the Swamiji performed rituals to the Nandi Dhwaja, with the Chief Minister and his wife offering prayers. Traditional ensembles, including Mangala Vadya, Puja Kunita, Lingadevara Kunita, Veerabhadra Kunita, Tamate, and Chande troupes, welcomed the dignitaries. Following the inauguration, artistes sang the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram, adhering to the State Government’s directive restricting its public rendition at State-run functions, followed by Kuvempu’s Naadageethe.
For the first time, hundreds of pontiffs from various Mutts across Karnataka attended the inauguration. More than 200 Swamijis arrived from Suttur in six buses and were given a traditional welcome at the Hill entrance. Special seating was arranged for the pontiffs, while colourful rangoli designs adorned the stretch from the Mahishasura statue to the stage. Sikh and Christian religious leaders also attended and were welcomed with floral garlands.
Other attendees included Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Eshwar Khandre, Minor Irrigation and Science and Technology Minister Ajay Dharam Singh, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rizwan Arshad, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture C. Puttarangashetty, Forest Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy, MP Sunil Bose, MLAs Tanveer Sait, K. Harishgowda, T.S. Srivatsa, Darshan Dhruvanarayan, D. Ravishankar, A.R. Krishnamurthy, and Anil Chikkamadu, MLCs C.N. Manjegowda, Raghu Kautilya, and K. Shivakumar, former Ministers K. Venkatesh and Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, Additional DC R. Aishwarya, Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority Secretary M.J. Roopa, and City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar.