Last year’s footfall recorded at 1,32,234 in 10 days from October 14 to 23

During this year’s Dasara festival, a staggering 1,35,456 people thronged the iconic Mysore Palace between Oct. 1 and 10. Every evening, the Palace bathed in a radiant golden glow, courtesy of incandescent bulbs, left crowds spellbound by its mesmerising lighting display.

More than one lakh visitors, including tourists from across India and abroad, along with locals and guests from neighbouring districts, toured the Palace.

This number, however, reflects only those who bought tickets for the Palace (interior) tour from 10 am to 5.30 pm. Beyond that, thousands more flocked to the Palace grounds to enjoy cultural programmes and marvel at the Palace’s spectacular lighting, making it a truly grand celebration.

During last year’s 10-day Dasara period (Oct. 14 to 23, 2023), 1,32,234 people visited Mysore Palace, excluding those attending cultural programmes or viewing lighting decorations. This year, from Oct. 1 to 10, 2024, the Palace saw an even larger turnout with 1,35,456 visitors.

On Oct. 1, 2024, 10,126 people visited the Palace, followed by 13,260 on Oct. 2 (after 2.30 pm), 7,129 on Oct. 3,

12,247 on Oct. 4, 18,307 on Oct. 5, 21,578 on Oct. 6, 13,931 on Oct. 7, 12,067 on Oct. 8, 13,568 on Oct. 9 and 13,243 on Oct. 10, all within the daily visiting hours of 10 am to 5.30 pm. Additionally, the Palace welcomed 27,436 visitors on Oct. 13 and 22,938 on Monday, Oct. 14.

The pandemic-struck Dasara festivals of 2020 and 2021 saw a steep decline in Palace visitors. However, since 2022, visitor numbers have been steadily increasing.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, T.S. Subramanya, Deputy Director of Mysore Palace Board, said, “The world-famous Mysuru Dasara Jumboo Savari procession was grandly celebrated on Saturday. Thousands attended the free-entry cultural programmes held in front of the Palace every evening. From Oct. 1 to 14, 1,81,736 people (excluding VIPs) purchased tickets to visit the Palace. During this period, the Palace was closed for half a day on Oct. 2 and completely on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12.”

He further added, “For the next three to four days, the Palace will continue to draw large crowds, with over 15,000 to 20,000 visitors daily. Afterward, there will be a slight dip, but visitor numbers will peak again during the last week of December. On the day of the Jumboo Savari, 50,000 people gathered inside the Palace premises to witness the  Vijayadashami procession.”