MYSURU: The Department of Horticulture will organise the Dasara Flower Show 2026 at Kuppanna Park from October 11 to 21, with the theme ‘Festival of Democracy’. The exhibition will feature large-scale floral installations representing India’s democratic institutions, alongside ornamental plants, historical figures and iconic monuments.
Joint Director of Horticulture K.N. Roopashree announced the arrangements at a press conference in Mysuru. This year, the flower show will be held at two venues — Kuppanna Park, also known as Nishad Bagh, and Lingambudhi Botanical Garden.
Both venues are expected to offer visitors a combination of floral displays, horticultural attractions and garden experiences as part of the Dasara celebrations. The exhibitions will remain open from 9 am to 9 pm daily.
Floral replica of Vidhana Soudha to be major attraction
The main attraction at the Glass House in Kuppanna Park will be a large floral replica of Vidhana Soudha, measuring 57 feet wide, 20 feet long and 37 feet high.
The installation will use approximately two lakh red roses, 4,000 chrysanthemums and 25,000 decorative leaves. Around 1,000 kg of wire mesh and 900 floral foam boxes will be required to create the structure.
The replica is expected to be one of the prominent displays of the exhibition, combining floral artistry with the architectural identity of Karnataka’s legislature building.
The democracy theme will extend to other installations depicting the three pillars of democracy — the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. Models of ballot boxes, electronic voting machines, control units and voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) units will also be displayed.
These installations are intended to connect the horticultural exhibition with the institutions and processes associated with democratic governance.
Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and heritage displays
Alongside the democracy-themed arrangements, the flower show will feature floral models celebrating Mysuru’s history and architectural heritage.
One of the displays will depict Rajarshi Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar seated on a throne, recalling his contribution to the development of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom.
Other attractions will include a floral model of Hampi’s famous stone chariot and a replica of Mysuru’s Chikka Gadiyara, also known as the Dufferin Clock Tower.
The Glass House will also feature exotic flowers and ornamental foliage sourced from Kolkata, Ooty, Pune, Bengaluru and Hassan. A variety of flowering plants will be used to create colourful displays for visitors.
A giant floral cake model will form part of the Dasara Cake Exhibition, adding another attraction to the event.
Around 75,000 flower pots on display
The Department of Horticulture plans to display around 75,000 flower pots at Kuppanna Park. The collection will include 49 varieties of annual ornamental flowers grown in the department’s nurseries.
The exhibition will also include ornamental plants such as Mexican grass, Anthurium, Gladiolus, Lilium, Carnation and Bird of Paradise.
Stalls selling agricultural and horticultural products will be set up alongside food stalls, allowing visitors to explore gardening-related products and refreshments during their visit.
The range of displays is expected to appeal to gardening enthusiasts, families, tourists and visitors attending Mysuru Dasara.
Lingambudhi Botanical Garden to host flower show and garden tour
For the first time in this year’s arrangement, the programme will extend across Kuppanna Park and Lingambudhi Botanical Garden.
The flower show and garden tour at Lingambudhi Botanical Garden will be inaugurated by District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah on October 11 at 1 pm.
The event will give visitors another location to explore floral displays and garden attractions during the festival period.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is scheduled to inaugurate the flower show at Kuppanna Park on October 11 at 12.30 pm, in the presence of other dignitaries.
Flower show adds to Mysuru Dasara celebrations
Mysuru Dasara attracts visitors through its cultural programmes, exhibitions, decorations and traditional celebrations. The annual flower show is among the events that bring horticultural displays into the wider festival programme.
This year’s ‘Festival of Democracy’ theme combines floral craftsmanship with representations of public institutions, while the heritage displays highlight the history and identity of Mysuru.
With the exhibition scheduled to run for 11 days, visitors will have several opportunities to see the installations and explore both venues.
The Department of Horticulture has been making arrangements ahead of the opening, with the Vidhana Soudha replica, democracy-themed floral models and heritage displays expected to be among the main attractions.