Dasara 2026 at Major Temples: October 2026 Pilgrim News

Quick answer (as of 9 October 2026): Navratri runs 11 to 19 October and Dussehra falls on Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Drik Panchang, India). Indrakeeladri and Srisailam hold their Dasara festivals from 11 to 20 October; Tirumala's Navaratri Brahmotsavams run 12 to 20 October with Garuda Seva on 16 October; Meenakshi Amman's Navaratri runs 11 to 20 October with no golden chariot; Vaishno Devi requires an RFID card for every pilgrim; and Mysuru Dasara opens on Chamundi Hill on 11 October. Expect very heavy crowds everywhere and book only on official websites.

Sharannavaratri is when the great Devi temples of India see their biggest crowds of the year, and the big Vishnu and Shiva shrines hold their own festivals at the same time. If you are planning a darshan trip in these ten days, the rules matter as much as the dates: some temples cancel VIP and privileged darshan, some screen the sanctum at certain hours, and some need advance registration. Here is what each major temple has announced, with the source for every item.

Kanaka Durga, Indrakeeladri (Vijayawada): 11 to 20 October

Official. The Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam run from 11 to 20 October. Officials expect about 25 lakh devotees and plan to distribute over 60 lakh laddus. Arrangements include covered queue lines, holding areas on railway land, bathing facilities on the Krishna and mobile phone lockers at Kanaka Durga Nagar (Source: The Hans India, 8 October 2026).

Reported. ETV Bharat reported that the Collector, Police Commissioner, VMC Commissioner and temple EO inspected arrangements, with general darshan beginning at 9 am on 11 October. About 3,500 security personnel and 1,400 sanitation workers will be deployed, with a 24-hour command and control room. The report says President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit for darshan on 14 October (Source: ETV Bharat, 4 October 2026).

VIP tickets (reported). At a review meeting, the Vijayawada MP said priority will go to ordinary devotees. VIP tickets priced at Rs 1,000 will be available on regular Navaratri days, but none will be sold on Moola Nakshatram or Vijayadashami. The Chief Minister will present silk robes to the Goddess on Moola Nakshatram day on behalf of the state government (Source: Deccan Chronicle, 6 September 2026). Read our Kanaka Durga Temple guide.

Srisailam: Dasara Mahotsavams, 11 to 20 October

Reported. The Hans India reported that a Srisailam delegation invited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to the 10-day Dasara Mahotsavams at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, to be held from 11 to 20 October. Temple management said it is arranging smooth darshan, crowd control, sanitation and safety (Source: The Hans India, 7 October 2026). Srisailam is both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha, so Bhramaramba Devi draws large Navaratri crowds. Check the Devasthanam's official website for darshan rules during the festival.

Tirumala: Navaratri Brahmotsavams, Garuda Seva on 16 October

Official. TTD has announced the Srivari Navaratri Brahmotsavams from 12 to 20 October, with Ankurarpanam on 11 October. This is an Adhikamasam year, so it is the second Brahmotsavam of 2026 and has no Dhwajarohanam, Pedda Ratham or Dhwajavarohanam. Garuda Vahanam is on 16 October (6:30 to 11:30 pm), Pushpaka Vimanam on 17 October, Swarna Ratham on 19 October and Chakra Snanam on 20 October (Source: TTD News, 27 September 2026; also Telangana Today, 5 October 2026).

Reported. Deccan Chronicle reported that VIP break and privileged darshans, including those for senior citizens, parents with infants and NRIs, are cancelled from 11 to 20 October (Source: Deccan Chronicle, 6 October 2026). More in our October 2026 temple news round-up.

Meenakshi Amman, Madurai: Navaratri 11 to 20 October

Official. The Navaratri festival at the Meenakshi Amman temple runs from 11 to 20 October, with Shantabhishekam on 25 October. Each day from 6 to 8:30 pm the main sanctum will be screened for abhishekam and alankaram, and archanai will be offered to the decorated deity in the Kolu mandapam instead. There will be no golden chariot procession during the festival (Source: Dinamalar, 1 October 2026).

This is the temple's first Navaratri since its Maha Kumbabhishekam on 17 September 2026, the first since 2009 (Source: DT Next, 17 September 2026). If you want sanctum darshan, plan your visit outside the evening screening hours.

Thiruvananthapuram: Padmanabhapuram idol procession and Alpashi

Reported. The Navaratri idol procession left Padmanabhapuram in Tamil Nadu on 9 October after the ceremonial handover of the Travancore royal sword. The idols of Thevarakkettu Saraswati Devi, Velimala Kumaraswamy and Munnoottinanga are due in Thiruvananthapuram on the evening of 11 October, when the Saraswati idol is installed in the Navaratri Mandapam. The idols and sword return on 23 October (Source: Asianet News, 9 October 2026).

Official. At the same time, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple's Alpashi festival begins with the kodiyettu on 11 October and ends with the aarattu at Shankhumukham beach on 20 October; special passes are needed to accompany the aarattu procession (Source: Asianet News, 8 October 2026).

Vaishno Devi: security and RFID cards

Official. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board CEO chaired a review with local authorities and security agencies for Shardiya Navratri, 11 to 20 October. Measures include J&K Police Quick Reaction Teams, SDRF deployment with the Board's Disaster Management Task Force and real-time monitoring through the Integrated Command and Control Centre. A valid RFID card is mandatory for every pilgrim (Source: The Tribune, 6 October 2026). Read the best time to visit Vaishno Devi.

Mysuru: Chamundeshwari and Nada Habba Dasara

Official. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar told the Karnataka Assembly that Sri Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Mahaswamiji of Gavimutt, Koppal, has been invited to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara on 11 October by showering flower petals on the Utsava Murthi of Goddess Chamundeshwari on Chamundi Hill (Source: Star of Mysore, 25 September 2026). Asianet Newsable reported the inauguration during Dhanur Lagna, between 11:50 am and 12:13 pm, and the festival running 11 to 21 October (Source: Asianet Newsable, 2 October 2026).

Expected. The Jumbo Savari is planned for 21 October, with the Chief Minister flagging it off at the palace grounds between 4:10 and 4:35 pm and the Torchlight Parade at Bannimantap from 7 pm (Source: Asianet Newsable, 2 October 2026). Five elephants, including Dhananjaya and Ekalavya, are being trained to carry the Golden Howdah (Source: Star of Mysore, 4 October 2026). On 8 October a wooden-howdah rehearsal was called off after elephant Mahendra stopped midway; a health check-up is under way (Source: Asianet Newsable, 9 October 2026). See the Mysore Dasara 2026 day-by-day guide.

Dasara 2026 at major temples: summary

Temple	Festival dates	Key point	Source
Kanaka Durga, Indrakeeladri	11-20 Oct	No VIP tickets on Moola Nakshatram or Vijayadashami (reported)	The Hans India; Deccan Chronicle
Srisailam	11-20 Oct	Dasara Mahotsavams (reported)	The Hans India
Tirumala	12-20 Oct	Garuda Seva 16 Oct; VIP break cancelled (reported)	TTD News; Deccan Chronicle
Meenakshi Amman, Madurai	11-20 Oct	Sanctum screened 6-8:30 pm; no golden chariot	Dinamalar
Padmanabhaswamy	11-20 Oct	Alpashi festival; Navaratri idols arrive 11 Oct	Asianet News
Vaishno Devi	11-20 Oct	RFID card mandatory	The Tribune
Chamundeshwari, Mysuru	11-21 Oct	Inauguration 11 Oct; Jumbo Savari 21 Oct (expected)	Star of Mysore; Asianet Newsable

Tips for a Dasara temple visit

Book only on official sites: temple websites are the only safe route; avoid third-party booking pages.
Avoid the peak days if you can: Moola Nakshatram, Durgashtami, Navami and Vijayadashami draw the biggest crowds at Devi temples.
Carry ID and stay light: many temples restrict phones and bags; look for lockers.
NRIs: privileged NRI darshan may be suspended during festivals, as at Tirumala this year. Celebrating abroad? See Dussehra 2026 in the USA and Navratri 2026 for the diaspora.

Frequently asked questions

When are the Dasara celebrations at Indrakeeladri in 2026?

The Dasara Sarannavaratri festivities at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam on Indrakeeladri run from 11 to 20 October 2026 (The Hans India, 8 October 2026).

Are VIP tickets available at Kanaka Durga temple on Moola Nakshatram?

No. Deccan Chronicle reported on 6 September 2026 that Rs 1,000 VIP tickets will be sold on regular Navaratri days, but none on Moola Nakshatram or Vijayadashami.

When is Garuda Seva at Tirumala during Navaratri 2026?

Garuda Vahanam is on 16 October 2026, from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm, according to TTD. The Srivari Navaratri Brahmotsavams run from 12 to 20 October.

Is the golden chariot procession held at Meenakshi temple during Navaratri 2026?

No. Dinamalar reported the temple's announcement that there will be no golden chariot procession during the Navaratri festival of 11 to 20 October 2026.

Do I need an RFID card for Vaishno Devi during Navratri?

Yes. The Tribune reported on 6 October 2026 that a valid RFID card is mandatory for every pilgrim.

Will this page be updated?

Yes. News was checked on 9 October 2026, and we will update the page as announcements change.

Editor's note (9 October 2026)

News checked on 9 October 2026; we will update as announcements change. Every item comes from the cited source and is labelled official, reported or expected. We have not added crowd figures, prices, dates or timings beyond what those sources state. Mysuru's festival schedule, as reported, runs to 21 October. Always confirm darshan arrangements on the temple's official website before travelling.