Mysuru: Online booking for Gold Cards and tickets to major events of Mysuru Dasara 2026 has opened, giving tourists and the public an opportunity to secure access to key celebrations nearly three weeks before the 11-day festival begins.

The Mysuru District Administration opened online booking at 11.30 am on September 21 through the official Dasara portal. The 2026 Dasara celebrations will be held from October 11 to 21, with the grand Jumboo Savari scheduled for October 21.

The administration has retained last year’s base prices for the Gold Card and major ticketed events. This year, however, all Gold Cards and Jumboo Savari tickets will carry printed seat numbers, a measure aimed at preventing unauthorised occupation of allotted seats.

Gold Card costs ₹6,961 including charges

The Mysuru Dasara Gold Card is priced at ₹6,500 per person. With a booking fee of ₹390 and GST of ₹70.20, the total cost comes to ₹6,961.

The Gold Card provides access to several major Dasara attractions and ticketed events. According to the official Dasara ticket portal, it includes one-time entry to the Mysuru Palace, Chamundi Hill and Mysuru Zoo, along with a numbered seat for the Jumboo Savari enclosure and access to the Torchlight Parade enclosure. It also includes access to the Drone Show on the date printed on the card.

Each Gold Card is valid for one person.

Jumboo Savari ticket priced at ₹3,831

Those looking specifically to watch the Jumboo Savari from the designated enclosure can purchase an individual procession ticket.

The base ticket price is ₹3,500, while a booking fee of ₹280 and GST of ₹50.40 take the total cost to ₹3,831.

The official portal states that the 2026 Jumboo Savari ticket provides a numbered seat in Enclosure I at the Mysuru Palace forecourt. Gates are scheduled to open at 10 am and close at 12.30 pm on October 21.

The administration has advised ticket holders to reach the venue well in advance because roads around the Palace are scheduled to close from 11 am on the day of the procession.

Torchlight Parade ticket costs ₹1,642

A ticket for the Torchlight Parade at Bannimantap costs ₹1,500 before additional charges.

After a booking fee of ₹120 and GST of ₹21.60, the total comes to ₹1,642.

The Torchlight Parade, or Panjina Kavayathu, will be held at the Bannimantap Parade Grounds on October 21. The official ticketing portal says gates will remain open from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm.

Unlike the Jumboo Savari tickets and Gold Cards, the Torchlight Parade ticket provides access to a free-seating ticketed enclosure, rather than an individually numbered seat.

Drone Show ticket priced at ₹1,095

The Drone Show ticket is priced at ₹1,000, with an ₹80 booking fee and ₹14.40 GST, taking the total to ₹1,095.

The official Dasara portal lists two ticketed Drone Show evenings this year — October 17 and 18 at the Torchlight Parade Grounds in Bannimantap. Visitors can select either date while booking.

The Drone Show enclosure follows a free-seating arrangement.

Printed seat numbers introduced this year

One of the major changes for Dasara 2026 is the introduction of printed seat numbers on Gold Cards, passes and Jumboo Savari tickets.

The decision follows complaints during the previous Dasara when some Gold Card holders reportedly found their allotted seats occupied by others.

Mysuru Deputy Commissioner and Dasara Special Officer G. Lakshmikanth Reddy had earlier said the administration was taking steps to prevent unauthorised occupation and confusion over seating.

The seat number printed on the Gold Card or procession ticket will correspond to the numbered seat at the venue. The administration has indicated that unoccupied seats will remain vacant rather than being allotted to other spectators.

The system is intended to make the seating arrangement easier to enforce during the high-footfall events.

Physical tickets need to be collected

Online booking does not mean visitors can simply arrive at the venue with the booking confirmation.

According to the district administration’s announcement, once a ticket or Gold Card is purchased online, the physical ticket has to be collected from the Spandhana Counter at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office.

Visitors will need to produce the email confirmation or mobile booking details along with a valid government-issued identity proof.

The official Dasara ticket portal further states that TicketGenie is the authorised ticketing partner for the 2026 festival. The booking confirmation functions as a redemption voucher, which has to be exchanged for the physical ticket or Gold Card before the event.

Administration warns against unauthorised sellers

The district administration has urged tourists and the public to use only the official Dasara ticketing system.

The official portal states that TicketGenie is the only authorised seller, with no other authorised counters or agents. Visitors have been advised to avoid unofficial sources while purchasing tickets.

The physical ticket or Gold Card and a photo ID will have to be carried for entry, with security checks applicable at the venues.

Dasara celebrations from October 11 to 21

Mysuru Dasara 2026 will be celebrated over 11 days from October 11 to 21.

The festival will culminate with the Jumboo Savari on October 21, when the golden howdah will be carried through the city as part of the grand Vijayadashami procession.

The official ticket portal makes clear that not every Dasara event requires a ticket. The main five-kilometre procession route, Palace illumination, cultural stages, Flower Show, Aahara Mela and public enclosures at Bannimantap remain accessible to the public without tickets.

The paid ticketing system is primarily for designated enclosures and selected attractions where seating or controlled access is provided.

Early booking gives tourists more time to plan

The early opening of online bookings is expected to help tourists plan their Mysuru visit in advance, particularly those travelling from outside Karnataka.

The district administration’s decision comes nearly three weeks before the start of the festival. In previous years, tourism stakeholders had raised concerns about delays in releasing tickets, which left visitors with limited time to plan accommodation, transport and sightseeing around Dasara.

With Gold Cards and event tickets now available online, visitors can plan around the major ticketed attractions while also exploring the numerous free events held across Mysuru during the festival.