Mysuru: Traditional puja was performed for 11 cannons at the Mysore Palace premises on September 25, ahead of the 2026 Dasara celebrations. The ritual marks the beginning of preparations for the ceremonial 21-round cannon salute that will precede the Jumboo Savari on Vijayadashami.

Of the 11 Palace cannons, seven will be used for the ceremonial salute on October 21. Each cannon will fire three rounds, resulting in a total of 21 shots. The salute is planned to be synchronised with the National Anthem and completed in one minute.

Puja performed at Aane Baagilu

Priest S.V. Prahallad Rao, along with other priests, performed Ganapathi and Mrutyunjaya pujas near Aane Baagilu at the Palace premises.

Mysuru City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr I.B. Prabhu Gowda and City Armed Reserve (CAR) DCP Siddanagowda Y. Patil also participated in the ritual after the cannons were moved a short distance from Aane Baagilu.

Before the puja, all 11 cannons were thoroughly washed and cleaned. They were then decorated with vibhuti, turmeric, kumkum, rice and flowers. Lemons were placed under the wheels of the cannons before they were moved as part of the traditional ritual.

Puja was also performed for a small gunpowder-loading cart used during the Chamundeshwari Rathotsava.

Seven cannons to fire 21 rounds

The ceremonial cannon salute will take place before the Jumboo Savari begins on Vijayadashami Day.

Seven cannons will participate in the firing, with each cannon firing three rounds. This will produce the traditional 21-round salute.

The firing is expected to be coordinated with the National Anthem during the Jumboo Savari ceremony. The aim is to ensure that the 21 shots are completed precisely as the National Anthem concludes.

During the procession, the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, carried in the Golden Howdah, will receive floral tributes from the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.

The cannon salute forms part of the ceremonial sequence associated with the grand finale of Mysuru Dasara.

Dry runs begin from September 26

Following the traditional puja, City Armed Reserve personnel are scheduled to begin dry-run rehearsals from September 26.

The rehearsals will focus on timing, coordination and safety. Personnel will practise the complete sequence using seven cannons in three rounds, with the objective of completing the 21-shot sequence within one minute.

The dry runs will not involve actual explosives. Instead, personnel will simulate the process of retrieving gunpowder, loading it into the cannon barrels using wooden rods, filling the fuse holes and triggering the spark.

The rehearsals are intended to identify and correct any technical or coordination issues well before the actual Dasara procession.

Rehearsals to help elephants and horses adjust

The cannon firing rehearsals will also serve another purpose — helping the Dasara elephants and horses become accustomed to the sound of the ceremonial gunfire.

According to the report, the cannons will be fired during rehearsals for three days, beginning 10 days before the grand finale. The preparation is intended to familiarise the animals with the sound ahead of the Vijayadashami procession.

The acclimatisation process is an important part of preparations for the annual procession, where decorated elephants and horses take part amid large crowds, music and other ceremonial activities.

CAR personnel raise safety concerns

After the puja, Police Commissioner Seema Latkar interacted with the CAR personnel involved in handling the cannons.

The staff requested cotton tracksuits for safety during the firing exercises. They reportedly pointed out that cotton clothing is less flammable in the event of sparks generated during the gunpowder-related procedures.

Senior police officials, including DCPs Dr Harsha Priyamvada and K.S. Sundar Raj and ACP Somashekar, were present during the preparations along with CAR personnel.

The focus on clothing and other safety measures comes as personnel prepare for repeated rehearsals ahead of the main ceremonial firing.

Dasara preparations gather pace

The cannon puja comes as Mysuru steps up preparations for Nada Habba Mysuru Dasara 2026. The festival is scheduled to culminate with the Vijayadashami procession on October 21.

The 21-round cannon salute remains an important ceremonial element of the Jumboo Savari and requires close coordination between the police personnel, Palace authorities and other teams involved in the procession.

With dry runs beginning on September 26, officials will now work on achieving the required timing while maintaining safety during the rehearsals and the final ceremony.

The traditional puja for the 11 Palace cannons has thus marked another stage in the preparations for the grand Dasara celebrations in Mysuru.