Mysuru: The Forest Department has cancelled its decision to introduce an entry fee for the public to view the Dasara elephants at the Mysuru Palace. The elephants can now be viewed free of cost during their stay in the city ahead of the 2026 Mysuru Dasara festivities.

The ticket system had reportedly been introduced for the first time this year, with the Forest Department planning to charge visitors for access to the elephant viewing area. However, the decision was withdrawn following intervention by Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy.

Ticket system withdrawn

The Forest Department had introduced an entry fee for people wishing to see the Dasara elephants during their training and preparation period.

Under the proposed system, visitors were reportedly expected to pay ₹100 for adults and ₹50 for children. The arrangement was intended to regulate the number of visitors and help manage crowds around the elephants.

However, the decision attracted criticism as the Dasara elephants have a strong cultural and emotional connection with people in Mysuru.

Following the controversy, Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy directed officials to withdraw the fee and allow the public to see the elephants without paying an entry charge.

Minister directs free entry

The Forest Department has now been instructed to cancel the ticket arrangement.

The minister’s intervention came soon after the proposal was introduced, resulting in the decision being reversed.

The move means visitors will not have to purchase a ticket specifically to view the Dasara elephant contingent.

However, officials will still need to ensure that visitor movement is properly regulated to avoid crowding around the animals.

Why was the fee introduced?

The ticket system was reportedly proposed with crowd management in mind.

As the Dasara elephants attract large numbers of visitors, unrestricted access can create difficulties for forest officials, mahouts and kavadis responsible for the animals.

The proposed fee was also reportedly intended to generate funds that could be used for the welfare of mahouts and kavadis.

However, the plan faced opposition because of the long-standing public association with the Dasara elephants.

Dasara elephants are a major attraction

The Dasara elephants are among the most popular attractions during the annual Mysuru Dasara celebrations.

The specially selected elephants are brought to Mysuru ahead of the festival and undergo training to prepare them for ceremonial duties, including the grand Jamboo Savari procession.

The first batch of nine elephants arrived in Mysuru recently and received a traditional welcome at the Mysuru Palace.

The arrival of the elephant squad traditionally marks an important stage in preparations for the festival.

Public can continue to watch the elephants

With the ticket system cancelled, members of the public can continue to visit designated areas to watch the Dasara elephants without paying the proposed viewing fee.

The decision is likely to be welcomed by Dasara enthusiasts who consider watching the elephants part of the festival experience.

At the same time, authorities will have to ensure that the free-access arrangement does not lead to overcrowding or create risks for visitors and elephants.

Crowd control remains a challenge

The cancellation of the ticket system means the Forest Department now faces the challenge of managing visitor numbers without using an entry fee as a crowd-control mechanism.

Officials may have to rely on regulated viewing areas, designated timings, barricades and personnel to ensure that visitors maintain a safe distance from the elephants.

This will be particularly important during weekends and other days when visitor numbers are expected to increase.

Elephant safety remains a priority

The elephants are undergoing training and acclimatisation for the Dasara festivities.

Their routine involves preparation for the sights and sounds associated with the festival, including crowds, music and ceremonial activities.

Recent preparations have already highlighted the need for careful handling of the animals. Dasara elephant Srirama, for instance, briefly panicked at the Mysuru Palace after being startled by loud drumbeats, but was quickly brought under control by his mahout and kavadi.

Such incidents underline the importance of maintaining adequate distance between visitors and elephants.

2026 Dasara preparations underway

The 2026 Mysuru Dasara preparations are progressing with the arrival of the elephant contingent.

The Forest Department has selected 12 elephants for this year’s Dasara team, while veteran elephant Abhimanyu has been given a rest after six consecutive years of carrying the Golden Howdah. Bheema has also been kept in reserve because of his health condition.

The department is expected to finalise the elephant responsible for carrying the Golden Howdah after the training process.

Free viewing likely to benefit visitors

The cancellation of the viewing fee means visitors will not have to factor an additional charge into their Dasara plans simply to see the elephants.

For tourists and local residents, watching the elephants prepare for the festival has become an important part of the pre-Dasara experience.

The decision could also make the experience more accessible to families and visitors who may otherwise have avoided the viewing area because of the proposed charges.

Officials must balance access and safety

While free viewing has been restored, unrestricted access cannot come at the cost of animal welfare.

The Forest Department and palace authorities will need to strike a balance between allowing visitors to enjoy the Dasara elephants and ensuring that the animals are not disturbed during their training and rest periods.

Clear visitor guidelines and proper crowd management will therefore remain important throughout the elephants’ stay.

Dasara draws visitors from across India

Mysuru Dasara is one of Karnataka’s most prominent cultural festivals and attracts visitors from across India and abroad.

The arrival of the elephants is traditionally one of the most anticipated events in the run-up to the celebrations.

With the elephant viewing fee now cancelled, visitors will continue to have an opportunity to witness the preparations without paying an additional viewing charge.

Conclusion

Mysuru: The Forest Department has cancelled its proposed ticket system for viewing the Dasara elephants at Mysuru Palace, allowing the public to see the elephants free of cost. The decision was reversed following Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy’s intervention.

The department had reportedly proposed charges of ₹100 for adults and ₹50 for children to regulate crowds and support the welfare of mahouts and kavadis. However, the move faced criticism because of the strong cultural connection between the Dasara elephants and the people of Mysuru.

With the ticket system withdrawn, authorities will now have to focus on managing crowds while ensuring the safety and well-being of the elephants as preparations for Mysuru Dasara 2026 continue.