Mysuru: The assembling of the historic Golden Throne at Mysuru Palace will mark the beginning of the Sharannavaratri celebrations on October 5, as preparations for Dasara 2026 gather pace. The rituals associated with the Golden Throne will begin at 7.30 am, followed by its ceremonial assembling between 10 am and 10.20 am.

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, a member of the erstwhile Mysore Royal Family, announced the Sharannavaratri schedule while addressing the media at her residence on September 21. The celebrations at the Palace will continue through Vijayadashami on October 21, with several traditional rituals and royal ceremonies scheduled during the period.

The annual rituals at Mysuru Palace form an important part of the city’s Dasara traditions. The schedule includes the assembling and ascending of the Golden Throne, Khas Durbar, Ayudha Puja, Durgashtami and Mahanavami rituals, besides the Vijaya Yatra and Shammi Puja on Vijayadashami.

Golden Throne assembly on October 5

The Sharannavaratri rituals will commence at 7.30 am on October 5 with the Navagraha Homa, Shanti Homa and purification rituals. These ceremonies will precede the assembling of the Golden Throne.

The Golden Throne will be assembled between 10 am and 10.20 am. The ceremonial process is carried out as part of the annual Dasara preparations at the Palace and marks the start of a series of traditional royal rituals associated with the festival.

The Golden Throne remains one of the prominent symbols associated with the Mysuru Dasara celebrations. Its ceremonial use during the Navaratri period is linked to the royal traditions of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom.

The Palace will continue to host a series of rituals in the days that follow, leading up to the Vijayadashami celebrations on October 21.

Simha fixing and throne ascending on October 11

A major set of rituals has been scheduled for October 11. The fixing of the Simha, or lion figure, to the Golden Throne will take place between 6 am and 7.12 am.

This will be followed by Kankana Dharane between 8.35 am and 9.05 am. The ceremonial ascending of the Golden Throne is scheduled between 11.45 am and 12.05 pm.

Later in the afternoon, the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari will be brought from Chamundi Thotti to Kannadi Thotti between 1.40 pm and 2.05 pm. Special pujas will subsequently be performed there until Vijayadashami on October 21.

The October 11 rituals therefore represent an important stage in the Palace’s Sharannavaratri schedule, bringing together the Golden Throne ceremonies and worship associated with Goddess Chamundeshwari.

Khas Durbar and Navaratri rituals

The Palace schedule includes several important religious and ceremonial events during the second half of October.

Saraswati Puja will be held on October 16 between 10.10 am and 10.30 am. The evening Durbar is scheduled for October 17.

Durgashtami Puja rituals will be conducted on October 18, followed by the Mahanavami celebrations on October 20.

The Mahanavami rituals will begin with Chandi Homa at 6 am. The royal weapons will subsequently be taken to Sri Kodi Someshwaraswamy Temple for puja and brought back to the Kalyana Mantapa.

Ayudha Puja will be conducted at the Kalyana Mantapa between 11.32 am and 11.52 am. The evening programme will include the Durbar and Simha Visarjane.

Following these ceremonies, puja will also be performed to the royal Pattada Elephant, Horse, Cow, Camel and vehicles at Savari Thotti.

Vijayadashami rituals on October 21

The Sharannavaratri celebrations will culminate on October 21 with Vijayadashami.

The royal Elephant, Horse, Cow and Camel will be brought to Aane Bagilu at 8 am. Uttara Puja will be performed at 8.15 am.

The Vajramusti Kalaga, Vijaya Yatra and Shammi Puja are scheduled between 9.30 am and 10.10 am. These ceremonies will form part of the concluding Vijayadashami rituals at the Palace.

After the Vijaya Yatra, the Kankana will be removed at the Vani Vilas Puja Room. The idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari will then be shifted back to Chamundi Thotti, marking the conclusion of the Sharannavaratri celebrations at Mysuru Palace.

The schedule extends beyond the main Vijayadashami celebrations, with the Chamundeshwari Rathotsava at Chamundi Hill scheduled for October 24 and Thepotsava on October 25.

Golden Throne to return to Strong Room

The ceremonial cycle will conclude later with the dismantling and shifting of the Golden Throne.

According to the schedule announced by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, the dismantling and shifting of the Golden Throne to the Strong Room will take place on November 19.

The process will mark the completion of the annual period during which the Golden Throne is brought out for the traditional Dasara rituals at the Palace.

Mysuru Palace prepares for Sharannavaratri

The announcement comes as Mysuru Palace prepares for the 2026 Dasara season. The Palace is expected to remain a key venue for traditional rituals throughout the Sharannavaratri period.

The detailed schedule provides specific timings for several ceremonies, reflecting the traditional sequence of events observed during the festival. From the initial homas and Golden Throne assembly on October 5 to the Vijayadashami rituals on October 21, the celebrations will span more than two weeks.

The Palace rituals will also run alongside the wider Mysuru Dasara celebrations, which attract visitors from Karnataka and other parts of the country each year.

The Golden Throne, royal animals, traditional weapons and Goddess Chamundeshwari form important elements of the Palace’s ceremonial schedule. The various rituals also continue the connection between Mysuru’s royal heritage and its annual Dasara celebrations.

With the first major Palace ritual scheduled for October 5, preparations are now moving towards the Sharannavaratri period.

Conclusion

The Sharannavaratri celebrations at Mysuru Palace will begin on October 5 with traditional homas, purification rituals and the assembling of the Golden Throne. The schedule will continue with the Simha fixing, throne ascending, Khas Durbar, Saraswati Puja, Durgashtami, Mahanavami and Ayudha Puja.

The celebrations will culminate with Vijayadashami rituals, including the Vijaya Yatra and Shammi Puja, on October 21. The Chamundeshwari Rathotsava and Thepotsava will follow on October 24 and 25, while the Golden Throne will be dismantled and shifted to the Strong Room on November 19.