Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced plans to host the 2026 Mysuru Dasara celebrations on a grand scale over 11 days, from October 11 to 21. The festival, also known as ‘Nada Habba’, will feature several new attractions, including an air show and a drone display.
A decision taken at a high‑level review meeting chaired by Shivakumar is to invite the chief ministers of all South Indian states, and to welcome cultural troupes from those states to perform during the festivities.
Shivakumar will seek the Union Defence Minister’s approval for an air show and has directed officials to request the Army, Indian Air Force and Navy to send contingents for the Dasara tableau and parade.
The programme will also include a Chitra Santhe, a flea market, a vintage‑car rally, rangoli competitions and a drone show, while ambassadors and representatives of various countries are to be invited.
Officials have been instructed to assign a minister each day to oversee events in coordination with the district in‑charge minister, to ensure proper seating for ticket‑holders, and to produce short films on Mysuru Palace and other tourist attractions for wider publicity. The Indian armed forces, leading educational institutions, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, ISRO and DRDO will also be invited.
For the first time, the traditional Kambala buffalo‑racing sport will be staged on a 25‑acre track at Sathgalli, and a hot‑air‑balloon ride reaching up to 100 feet is planned at the Lalitha Mahal Palace grounds.