Mysuru Dasara Mahotsava 2026

Rs. 13.77 crore budget this year; 2,60,920 units of power to be used

Mysuru: Mysuru is gearing up for the Dasara illumination, with the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) planning new designs and thematic displays across the city this year.

Acting on the directions of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (DKS), CESC has introduced new concepts in the illumination arrangements, covering 123 traffic circles and 146-km of city roads. The company is setting up more than 80 thematic installations at prominent locations.

Preparations are already underway and Rs. 13.77 crore has been earmarked for the illumination and drone show. The allocation for illumination has been increased from Rs. 6 crore last year to Rs. 9.5 crore this year, while the drone show budget has gone up from Rs. 3.75 crore in 2025 to Rs. 4.27 crore.

The Dasara Illumination Committee has decided to bring in new designs instead of repeating those used in previous years. Lakhs of bulbs and LED lights will illuminate nearly 146-km of roads.

Major circles and locations, including K.R. Circle, Chamaraja Circle, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar (Hardinge) Circle, Gun House Circle, Ramaswamy Circle, Devaraj Urs Road junction, Babu Jagjivan Ram Circle, the circle near J.K. Grounds, Government Ayurveda Hospital Circle, Old RMC Circle, LIC Circle and Doddakere Maidan, will have thematic installations.

The displays will include Goddess Chamundeshwari, Navadurgas, members of the erstwhile royal family and Lord Krishna riding a chariot.

Installations depicting Government Guarantee Schemes such as Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi, Yuva Nidhi, Gruha Jyothi and Anna Bhagya will also be put up. Other LED displays will feature initiatives such as ‘Praja Seva’ and ‘Bharat Jodo.’

CESC plans to use 3,106 kilowatts or about 2,60,920 units of electricity during the nine nights of Navaratri.

3,500 drones for show

At the Bannimantap Torchlight Parade Grounds, CESC will organise a drone show involving 3,500 drones, with the peacock, India’s national bird, among the formations planned. CESC is also aiming for a Guinness World Record with the display.

Last year, the drone show featuring a tiger drew large crowds. This year, shows will be held on Oct. 17, 18, 20 and 21. The formations will include Nandi of Chamundi Hill, a flying butterfly, peacock, Vishnu’s chakra, a soaring dove and a polar bear.

CESC has also moved away from the repetitive LED serial-light sets used in previous years and introduced new designs along some roads.

On Sayyaji Rao Road, the main route of the Jumboo Savari procession, LED installations depicting gatekeepers and royal guards will be placed on either side of the road.