Mysuru: Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swami, seer of Gavi Mutt in Koppal, inaugurated Mysuru Dasara 2026 by lighting a traditional lamp and offering flowers to Goddess Chamundeshwari atop Chamundi Hills at 12.07 pm on Sunday, October 11.
The inauguration marked the beginning of the 11-day Dasara festivities in Mysuru, with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar accompanying the seer during the ceremony. Around 2,000 people witnessed the event, which featured religious rituals, cultural performances and the participation of spiritual leaders from different traditions.
A notable feature of this year’s inauguration was the participation of more than 200 seers from various mutts and heads of different religions, including Sikh and Tibetan leaders. They were accorded special honour through seating arrangements on a raised platform, highlighting the interfaith character of the ceremony.
Goddess Chamundeshwari worshipped in Hamsavaahini alankaara
The idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari was adorned in a purple saree in the traditional Hamsavaahini alankaara and installed in a silver mantapa beside the temple atop Chamundi Hills.
The Gavi Mutt seer and the Chief Minister offered prayers to the goddess before the formal inauguration. The ritual lighting of the lamp and offering of flowers marked the commencement of the annual celebrations.
Mysuru Dasara, one of Karnataka’s most prominent cultural festivals, centres on the worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari and commemorates the victory of good over evil. The festival attracts devotees, tourists and cultural enthusiasts from across the country and abroad.
The inauguration on Chamundi Hills is a key event in the celebrations, bringing together religious traditions and the city’s longstanding Dasara heritage.
Nandi Dhwaja puja precedes inauguration
Earlier in the day, Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swami and Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, accompanied by his wife, offered puja to the Nandi Dhwaja as part of the traditional rituals associated with Mysuru Dasara.
The dignitaries received a special welcome from folk performers, including Pooja Kunitha and Veeragaase artistes. The ceremony was accompanied by the sounds of mangala vaadya, adding a traditional cultural touch to the proceedings.
The participation of folk troupes reflected the importance of Karnataka’s performance traditions in the Dasara celebrations, which combine religious observances with music, dance and cultural events.
Following the rituals, the dignitaries proceeded with the formal inauguration at the Chamundeshwari Temple.
More than 200 seers and religious leaders attend
The presence of more than 200 seers from different mutts and religious leaders from Sikh and Tibetan communities was a prominent feature of this year’s ceremony.
The participants were provided special seating on a raised platform, recognising their presence at the inauguration.
The gathering included representatives from different religious and spiritual institutions, adding a wider interfaith dimension to the event. Their participation accompanied the traditional worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari and the commencement of the festival.
Around 2,000 people attended the inauguration, according to the report.
Ministers, legislators and officials present
Several ministers, elected representatives and senior officials attended the ceremony.
Among those present were Mysuru district in-charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, RDPR Minister Eshwar Khandre, Forest Minister Ramalingareddy and Minister Rizwan Arshad.
Former ministers H C Mahadevappa and K Venkatesh also attended the event.
The legislators present included G T Deve Gowda, T S Srivatsa, Tanveer Sait, Ravishankar, Anil Chikkamadu, Darshan Dhruvanarayana and K Harish Gowda. MP Sunil Bose and MLCs Shivakumar and C N Manje Gowda were also present.
Senior district and civic officials included Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G Lakshmikanth Reddy, Additional Deputy Commissioner Aishwarya, Sri Chamundeshwari Kshethra Development Authority secretary M J Roopa, Regional Commissioner Nitesh Patil, Kannada and Culture Department secretary Manjushree, Zilla Panchayat CEO S Ukesh Kumar and Mysuru City Corporation commissioner M K Savitha.
Their presence reflected the administrative coordination involved in organising the festival and managing the large number of devotees and visitors expected during the celebrations.
Security arrangements tightened at Chamundi Hills
The police made elaborate security arrangements for the inauguration, given the participation of senior political leaders, religious heads and members of the public.
Mysuru City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar led the security arrangements. Inspector General of Police for the Southern Range M B Boralingaiah and Mysuru district Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi were also present.
Entry of devotees to Chamundi Hills was restricted between 9 am and 1 pm on Sunday to facilitate the inauguration and ensure the smooth conduct of the ceremony.
The temporary restriction was part of the arrangements to regulate movement in the hill area during the high-profile event.
Mysuru Dasara celebrations begin
With the inauguration completed, Mysuru has entered its annual Dasara festival period, which combines religious ceremonies, cultural programmes and public celebrations.
The Chamundi Hills ceremony remains central to the festival, bringing together the worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari, traditional rituals and participation by representatives of Karnataka’s religious and cultural institutions.
The presence of a large gathering of seers and religious leaders from different traditions was a distinctive element of the 2026 inauguration.
As the festivities continue, Mysuru is expected to welcome visitors for the range of events associated with its celebrated Dasara season.