Banu MushtaqWriter · International Booker Prize 2025
Chief guests
The inaugurators
Each year the festival is opened on Chamundi Hill by an invited inaugurator — a writer, scholar, artist or public figure chosen for their contribution to Karnataka’s life. The tradition honours the state’s culture as much as the goddess.
The ceremony
Inauguration on Chamundi Hill
On the first day the inaugurator, the Chief Minister and the District Administration climb to the Chamundeshwari temple. At the muhurta set by the Palace panchanga — 11:50 AM to 12:13 PM in 2026, Dhanur lagna — the puja is performed and the inaugurator showers flowers on the idol of the goddess to the sound of the temple drums, and Dasara is declared open. The event is broadcast live and is the ceremonial start of the eleven days.
- Chamundeshwari Temple, 11 October 2026, 11:50 AM – 12:13 PM
- Live on all channels and this site
- Followed by the first cultural evening at the Palace
Recent years
Past inaugurators
Writers, scholars and statespersons who have opened the festival on Chamundi Hill. The Dasara Committee announces each year’s inaugurator in September.
Hampa NagarajaiahScholar & Kannada writer
Droupadi MurmuPresident of India
Sudha MurtyAuthor & philanthropist
S L BhyrappaNovelist
K S Nissar AhmedPoet
Official document
Sharannavaratri puja calendar & Gaja Puja dates
11 – 24 October 2026
Sharannavaratri 2026 — the Palace calendar
| Date | Tithi | Devi / observance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 OctSun | Prathama | Shailaputri | Sharannavaratri begins — Shaila vrata. Chamundeshwari puja on Chamundi Hill 11:50 AM – 12:13 PM (Dhanur lagna); Palace puja; private pujas in the evening. |
| 12 OctMon | Dwitiya | Brahmacharini | — |
| 13 OctTue | Tritiya | Chandraghanta | — |
| 14 OctWed | Chaturthi | Kushmanda | — |
| 15 OctThu | Panchami | Skandamata | — |
| 16 OctFri | Shashthi | Katyayani | Saraswati puja (begins in Moola nakshatra). |
| 17 OctSat | Saptami | Siddhidhatri | Kalaratri — Mahishasura samhara. |
| 18 OctSun | Ashtami | Durgashtami | — |
| 19 OctMon | Ashtami | Durga puja | — |
| 20 OctTue | Navami | Mahagauri | Mahanavami — Ayudha puja, Gaja-Ashva-adi (elephant & horse) puja, Hayagriva puja, Amaladevata puja. |
| 21 OctWed | Dashami | Vijayadashami | Shami puja, Aparajita Devi puja. Nandi Dhwaja puja by the Hon’ble Chief Minister 1:36 – 1:56 PM (Makara lagna, Budha hora); Pushparchane by the Chief Minister and dignitaries 4:10 – 4:35 PM (Meena lagna); then the Jumboo Savari begins. |
| 24 OctSat | — | Chamundeshwari Rathotsava | Chariot festival at the Chamundeshwari temple, Chamundi Hill. |
Vijayadashami, 21 October — muhurtas
| Time | Ceremony | Lagna |
|---|---|---|
| 1:36 – 1:56 PM | Nandi Dhwaja puja by the Hon’ble Chief Minister | Makara lagna · Budha hora |
| 4:10 – 4:35 PM | Pushparchane to Goddess Chamundeshwari in the golden howdah by the Chief Minister and dignitaries | Meena lagna |
| After 4:35 PM | Jumboo Savari — the procession leaves the Palace for Bannimantap | — |
Gaja Puja dates
| Date | Event | Muhurta |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Aug 2026Wed | Gaja Payana begins — the elephants are flagged off from Veeranahosahalli, Nagarhole | 10:01 – 10:28 AM · Tula lagna |
| 28 Aug 2026Fri | The elephants enter the Mysuru Palace — Gaja Puja at the Palace | 9:52 – 10:19 AM |
| 22 Oct 2026Thu | Return journey — Mysuru Palace to Veeranahosahalli | 10:45 AM – 12:11 PM · Dhanur lagna |
Based on the Mysuru Palace, Ontikoppal and Melukote panchangas. All times IST.
Source: Mysuru Palace panchanga (Palace, Ontikoppal & Melukote almanacs)Original document
