Mysuru: The Mysore Palace is undergoing a major refurbishment ahead of Dasara 2026, with more than 150 chandeliers being cleaned, around 20,000 to 25,000 fused bulbs being replaced and over 25,000 flower pots being arranged across the Palace premises. The works are being carried out ahead of the Navaratri festivities, with the Palace Board aiming to complete the internal preparations before October 5.
With the grand Mysuru Dasara celebrations approaching, workers and officials are working to give the historic Palace a fresh look while preserving its traditional appearance. The refurbishment covers the Palace interiors, lighting system, compound walls, entry gates and landscaped areas.
The preparations are particularly significant this year as the Golden Throne is scheduled to be assembled at the Durbar Hall on October 5 for the private rituals of the erstwhile Mysore Royal Family. The public Dasara festivities are scheduled from October 11 to 21.
More than 150 chandeliers cleaned
One of the major components of the refurbishment is the cleaning and upkeep of the Palace’s historic chandeliers.
The Mysore Palace Board has taken up cleaning work in the Public Durbar Hall, Private Durbar Hall and Kalyana Mantapa. Workers are dusting and washing the chandeliers, including thorough cleaning with soap and water.
Scaffolding has been erected to allow workers to reach the high ceilings and chandeliers. The cleaning includes the grand chandeliers as well as dome and pearl chandeliers featuring white, red and green elements.
According to the report, the chandeliers were imported from Czechoslovakia around 1926. They are now nearly a century old and form an important part of the Palace’s heritage interiors. More than 150 chandeliers of different shapes and sizes are being cleaned as part of the preparations.
The chandeliers complement the Palace’s ornate ceilings, which feature intricate paintings, along with Italian marble flooring. Their upkeep is therefore aimed not only at improving illumination during the festival but also at maintaining the historic character of the interiors.
Fresh red carpets for Durbar Hall
The refurbishment also includes changes to the flooring arrangements inside the Palace.
Old mats in the Durbar Hall are being removed to make way for fresh red carpets. The new carpets are expected to enhance the appearance of the ceremonial space ahead of the Sharannavaratri rituals and other Dasara-related events.
The Durbar Hall will be an important location during the festival period, particularly with the Golden Throne scheduled to be assembled there on October 5.
The Golden Throne assembly marks the beginning of a series of traditional rituals associated with the erstwhile royal family’s Sharannavaratri celebrations. The Palace has already announced a detailed schedule of ceremonies leading up to Vijayadashami on October 21.
Over 25,000 flower pots arranged
The Palace compound is also receiving a colourful floral makeover ahead of the festival.
More than 25,000 flower pots featuring different colourful species have been cultivated and arranged across the Palace premises. The landscaping forms an important part of the annual preparations as the Palace receives large numbers of visitors during the Dasara season.
The plant topiary structures, including those shaped like elephants and the mythical Gandabherunda, are also ready for the festival. These structures had been pruned in August and have since grown back into their intended shapes.
The floral displays and topiary are expected to add to the visual appeal of the Palace compound as tourists and residents arrive for the celebrations.
Painting work underway across Palace
Painting and maintenance of the Palace’s internal compound walls and entry gates are also progressing.
More than 30 painters have been deployed for the work, with officials aiming to complete the painting by September 30. This gives the Palace Board a few days to finish any remaining work before the Golden Throne is assembled on October 5.
The painting work forms part of the broader refurbishment programme being undertaken before the Navaratri celebrations.
The tight deadline reflects the importance of completing maintenance work before the ceremonial activities begin. Palace officials have instructed that the internal works should be completed before October 5.
Up to 25,000 bulbs to be replaced
The Palace’s iconic illumination is also receiving attention ahead of Dasara.
Officials are inspecting the existing incandescent bulbs and replacing those that have fused. An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 bulbs are expected to be replaced as part of the exercise.
The objective is to ensure that all one lakh decorative bulbs are functional when the Dasara celebrations begin.
Workers are carrying out the replacement work in shifts and using high-powered cranes to reach elevated sections of the Palace. The task requires specialised workers because of the scale and height of the Palace’s illumination system.
The Palace continues to retain its traditional 15-volt thread-type incandescent bulbs despite the widespread adoption of LED lighting. These bulbs are known for producing the distinctive golden glow associated with the illuminated Mysore Palace.
Palace prepares for Golden Throne rituals
The refurbishment work is being completed alongside preparations for the traditional Sharannavaratri ceremonies.
On October 5, the Golden Throne will be assembled at the Durbar Hall for the private rituals of the erstwhile Mysore Royal Family. The assembly is one of the important annual ceremonies marking the beginning of the Palace’s Navaratri rituals.
The wider Mysuru Dasara celebrations will officially run from October 11 to 21, according to the official Dasara programme. The 11-day festival includes cultural programmes, Yuva Sambhrama, food and flower events, sports activities and the grand Jumboo Savari on October 21.
The Palace therefore needs to be ready not only for the royal rituals but also for the large number of visitors expected during the festival.
Traditional character retained amid preparations
The refurbishment work at the Palace combines routine maintenance with preparations for one of Karnataka’s most prominent annual festivals.
While cleaning, painting and landscaping are being undertaken to improve the appearance of the premises, the authorities are retaining important traditional features. The continued use of incandescent bulbs is one such example, with the Palace maintaining the lighting system responsible for its familiar golden appearance.
The preservation and cleaning of nearly century-old chandeliers also highlights the focus on maintaining the Palace’s historic interiors.
At the same time, practical preparations such as replacing damaged bulbs, laying fresh carpets and painting compound walls are being carried out to ensure the premises are ready to accommodate festival activities and visitors.
Dasara preparations gather pace
The Palace facelift comes as Mysuru moves closer to the 2026 Dasara season. Other parts of the city are also undergoing maintenance and restoration work ahead of the festival.
The Mysuru City Corporation has been taking up improvements at key locations, including pedestrian subways and important roads, while the district administration has begun preparations for the wider festival programme.
The Palace, however, remains at the centre of the celebrations. Its illumination, heritage interiors, floral displays and royal rituals are closely associated with the identity of Mysuru Dasara.
With the Golden Throne assembly scheduled for October 5, the deadline for completing the current refurbishment work is approaching quickly.
Conclusion
The Mysore Palace is receiving a festive facelift ahead of Dasara 2026, with more than 150 historic chandeliers being cleaned, up to 25,000 bulbs being replaced and over 25,000 flower pots being arranged across the compound.
More than 30 painters are working on the compound walls and entry gates, while fresh red carpets are being laid in the Durbar Hall. Palace officials have directed that internal works be completed before October 5, when the Golden Throne will be assembled for the traditional Sharannavaratri rituals.
With the wider Mysuru Dasara celebrations scheduled from October 11 to 21, the refurbishment is aimed at ensuring that the Palace is ready to welcome visitors while preserving its distinctive heritage and traditional festive appearance.