MYSURU: The Mysuru Dasara elephant team visited Hazrat Imam Shah Wali Dargah as part of the city’s longstanding traditions associated with the annual Dasara celebrations. The visit highlighted Mysuru’s composite cultural heritage, where customs associated with different religious communities have continued alongside the royal festival.
The visit took place ahead of the grand Jamboo Savari procession on October 21, 2026, which marks the culmination of the 11-day Mysuru Dasara festivities. The elephant procession is one of the festival’s biggest attractions, drawing thousands of visitors to witness the decorated elephants and the ceremonial journey from Mysuru Palace.
Dasara elephants visit Hazrat Imam Shah Wali Dargah
The Dasara elephant team visited Hazrat Imam Shah Wali Dargah and offered a traditional salam, according to reports by Kannada media. The visit reflects the cultural practices associated with Mysuru Dasara, in which traditions beyond the palace’s Hindu rituals have also formed part of the festival’s wider heritage.
The elephants are central to the annual celebrations and undergo weeks of preparation before participating in the Jamboo Savari. Their visits to significant places during the festival period are closely associated with the customs and ceremonial traditions maintained by the Dasara team.
Jamboo Savari to take place on October 21
The Jamboo Savari is the grand finale of Mysuru Dasara and is scheduled for October 21. The procession traditionally begins at Mysuru Palace and proceeds towards Bannimantap, featuring decorated elephants, cultural performers, traditional music and tableaux representing Karnataka’s culture and heritage.
This year’s procession has drawn particular attention because elephant Prashan is set to carry the golden Ambari for the first time. The Ambari traditionally carries the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity associated with Mysuru Dasara.
The ceremonial journey is a major attraction for residents and tourists, with authorities making arrangements for security, traffic management and crowd control along the route.
Mysuru Dasara reflects a shared cultural heritage
Mysuru Dasara is known for its royal traditions, religious ceremonies and public celebrations. Alongside the palace rituals and the Jamboo Savari, the festival also reflects the city’s diverse cultural history and the customs that have evolved around it over generations.
The Dasara elephant team’s visit to the dargah offers a reminder of these longstanding local traditions. Such practices contribute to the broader cultural identity of Mysuru, where the annual festival brings together people from different communities to participate in or witness the celebrations.
Preparations continue for the grand procession
As the city prepares for the final day of Dasara, visitors are expected to gather in large numbers around Mysuru Palace and along the Jamboo Savari route. Authorities have advised the public to follow official announcements on traffic restrictions, viewing areas and security arrangements.
The procession will bring the 2026 Dasara celebrations to a close, with Prashan’s first Ambari appearance among the major highlights of this year’s event.
The elephant team’s visit to Hazrat Imam Shah Wali Dargah adds another dimension to the festival’s rich traditions, highlighting the cultural practices that continue to form part of Mysuru’s Dasara celebrations.