Dasara 2026 in Karnataka: District-Wise Guide to Mysuru, Srirangapatna, Madikeri, Mangaluru and All 31 Districts

Quick answer: Dasara 2026 in Karnataka runs from Sunday 11 October, when Navaratri begins and Mysuru Dasara is inaugurated, to Vijayadashami on Wednesday 21 October. Mahanavami and Ayudha Puja fall on Tuesday 20 October, and both days are Karnataka general holidays. The state's biggest events are Mysuru's Jamboo Savari on 21 October (floral tribute at 4:10–4:35pm), Srirangapatna Dasara in Mandya, Madikeri Dasara's all-night mantapa procession in Kodagu and Mangaluru Dasara at Kudroli temple. Note that many national calendars list Dussehra on 20 October; Karnataka follows its own panchanga this year.

Dasara 2026 in Karnataka is more than one festival. It is the Nada Habba, the state festival, centred on Mysuru's royal celebrations, but every district has its own way of marking Navaratri: Gombe doll displays in Bengaluru homes, Pili Vesha tiger dancers on the coast, mantapa processions in the Kodagu hills, elephant processions in Shivamogga and Srirangapatna, and Vidyarambha for young children at Kollur and Sringeri.

This guide covers Dasara 2026 district by district, for all 31 districts of Karnataka. You'll find the confirmed dates and holidays, why Karnataka's Vijayadashami falls on 21 October, the major regional festivals, Vijay Muhurat timings for every district headquarters, and what each district is known for. For Mysuru's day-by-day schedule, read our Mysore Dasara 2026 guide, and for the rituals and meaning of the festival, our complete Dussehra 2026 guide.

Editor's note: Details were checked against official announcements and news reports on 17 September 2026. District festival committees usually announce their programmes closer to Navaratri, and we will update this page as they do.

Dasara 2026 in Karnataka at a glance

• Navaratri: Sunday 11 October to Tuesday 20 October 2026.
• Mahanavami and Ayudha Puja: Tuesday 20 October, a Karnataka general holiday.
• Vijayadashami: Wednesday 21 October, also a general holiday.
• Mahalaya Amavasya: Saturday 10 October, a general holiday that opens the festive season.
• Mysuru Dasara: 11 to 21 October, with the Jamboo Savari floral tribute on 21 October between 4:10 and 4:35pm.
• Why 21 October: The state's Dasara schedule follows the Mysuru panchanga, while calendars that use the afternoon rule list Vijayadashami on 20 October.
• After Dasara: Hassan's Hasanamba temple is expected to open on Thursday 29 October, and Balipadyami (Deepavali) is a holiday on Tuesday 10 November.

Dasara 2026 dates and holidays in Karnataka

Why is Vijayadashami on 21 October in Karnataka?

The Dashami tithi runs from 12:50pm IST on Tuesday 20 October to 2:11pm IST on Wednesday 21 October. Calendars that follow the afternoon (Aparahna) rule, such as Drik Panchang, place Vijayadashami on 20 October. The Mysuru panchanga, which the state government used to fix the 2026 Dasara schedule, places it on 21 October, when Dashami is the tithi at sunrise, and Karnataka's holiday list follows the same dates. The result is an 11-day festival in Mysuru, with Navaratri from 11 to 20 October and Vijayadashami on the 11th day.

Karnataka's biggest Dasara celebrations in 2026

Vijay Muhurat 2026 by district headquarters

The Vijay Muhurat is the 11th of the 15 muhurtas of daylight. The timings below apply to Tuesday 20 October, for families who follow the afternoon rule used by Drik Panchang. If your family follows the Mysuru panchanga and observes Vijayadashami on 21 October, note that the Dashami tithi ends at 2:11pm that day, and follow your family priest's timing.

• East to west: The whole state uses IST, but Kolar's window starts 16 minutes earlier than Karwar's because Kolar lies so much farther east.
• Your town: For taluks and villages, use a panchang set to your location or check today's panchangam.

Dasara 2026 district by district: all 31 districts of Karnataka

Districts are grouped by region. Each entry covers the district's best-known Navaratri and Dasara traditions and the Vijay Muhurat for its headquarters on 20 October.

Jump to a district:

• Bengaluru region: Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru South, Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Tumakuru
• Old Mysuru region: Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Kodagu
• Coastal Karnataka: Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada
• Malnad and central Karnataka: Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Davanagere
• Kittur Karnataka: Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Bagalkot, Vijayapura
• Kalyana Karnataka: Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, Vijayanagara

Bengaluru region: Dasara 2026 in Bengaluru and neighbouring districts

The capital region celebrates Dasara with Gombe displays, Ayudha Puja in offices and workshops, and festivals run by communities from across India.

Bengaluru Urban

Bengaluru homes set up Gombe, the traditional Navaratri doll display, and offices, factories and auto stands mark Ayudha Puja on Mahanavami by decorating tools and vehicles. Bengali, Gujarati, Telugu and North Indian associations add Durga Pujas, garba nights and Bathukamma celebrations, and many families travel to Mysuru for the Jamboo Savari. The Vijay Muhurat in Bengaluru is 2:02 to 2:50pm on 20 October.

Bengaluru Rural

Families in Devanahalli, Doddaballapur, Hoskote and Nelamangala celebrate Navaratri with Gombe displays, temple pujas and Ayudha Puja. The Vijay Muhurat in Devanahalli is 2:02 to 2:49pm.

Bengaluru South

The former Ramanagara district, renamed Bengaluru South in 2025, is home to Channapatna, whose lacquered wooden toys are a favourite for Gombe displays. Ramanagara, Kanakapura, Magadi and Harohalli celebrate at local temples and at home. The Vijay Muhurat in Ramanagara is 2:04 to 2:51pm.

Chikkaballapur

Chikkaballapur's towns and villages mark Navaratri with temple pujas, Gombe displays and Ayudha Puja. The Vijay Muhurat in Chikkaballapur is 2:02 to 2:49pm.

Kolar

The Kolaramma temple, dedicated to the town's presiding goddess, is a focal point for Navaratri in Kolar. The Vijay Muhurat in Kolar is 2:00 to 2:47pm, one of the earliest in the state.

Tumakuru

Tumakuru's temples and mutts mark Navaratri and Vijayadashami, and families across the district celebrate with Gombe displays and Ayudha Puja. The Vijay Muhurat in Tumakuru is 2:04 to 2:51pm.

Old Mysuru region: Dasara 2026 in Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan and Kodagu

The heartland of Karnataka's royal Dasara tradition, from Chamundi Hill to the mantapas of Madikeri.

Mysuru

Mysuru Dasara 2026 runs from 11 to 21 October. The festival is inaugurated atop Chamundi Hill on 11 October, the illuminated palace hosts cultural programmes every evening, and on 21 October the Chief Minister offers flowers to Goddess Chamundeshwari in the 750-kg Golden Howdah between 4:10 and 4:35pm before the Jamboo Savari travels about 4.8 km to Bannimantap. With Abhimanyu retired, Mahendra, Dhananjaya and Prashantha are training to carry the howdah. For the full day-by-day plan, tickets and travel tips, see our Mysore Dasara 2026 guide. The Vijay Muhurat in Mysuru is 2:06 to 2:54pm on 20 October.

Mandya

• Srirangapatna Dasara: The island town is where Raja Wodeyar I celebrated Navaratri in 1610 after taking Srirangapatna, a milestone in the history of the Mysuru Dasara tradition. Its own three-day Dasara features a Jamboo Savari with Goddess Chamundeshwari carried in a wooden howdah, starting from the Bannimantap at Kirangur, with elephants brought from Mysuru. Mahendra, one of this year's Golden Howdah trainees, has carried the wooden howdah here.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Mandya is 2:05 to 2:53pm.

Chamarajanagar

Chamarajanagar, home to the Male Mahadeshwara Hills and Biligiri Rangana Hills, marks Navaratri at its temples and villages. The Vijay Muhurat in Chamarajanagar is 2:05 to 2:53pm.

Hassan

• Hasanamba temple: The temple opens only once a year, on the first Thursday after Ashwayuja Purnima, and in 2026 it is expected to open on Thursday 29 October, with darshan continuing until around Balipadyami. In 2025, it opened on 9 October. The district administration confirms dates and darshan arrangements.
• Navaratri: Temples across the district, including in the Hoysala towns of Belur and Halebidu, mark the festival.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Hassan is 2:08 to 2:56pm.

Kodagu

• Madikeri Dasara: Kodagu's biggest festival is known for its all-night procession of illuminated mantapas, each around 21 to 25 feet tall, from ten temples of Madikeri. The procession begins on the night of Vijayadashami and ends the next morning, with prizes for the best mantapas, and the festival also includes Makkala Dasara, a children's programme held since 2012.
• Gonikoppa Dasara: South Kodagu's town of Gonikoppa holds its own Dasara celebrations.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Madikeri is 2:10 to 2:57pm.

Coastal Karnataka: Dasara 2026 in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada

The coast celebrates Navaratri with Navadurga worship, temple processions and the famous Pili Vesha tiger dancers.

Dakshina Kannada

• Mangaluru Dasara: Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple installs idols of the Navadurgas, Maha Ganapati and Sharada Mata for Navaratri. On Vijayadashami, a grand procession with the idols, tableaux and cultural troupes leaves the temple in the late afternoon (at 4pm in 2025) and winds through the city overnight. Former Union Minister B. Janardhana Poojary, the force behind the temple's renovation, traditionally leads it.
• Temples: The Mangaladevi temple in Mangaluru and the Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple draw large crowds through Navaratri.
• Pili Vesha: Tiger-dance troupes perform through the city during the festival.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Mangaluru is 2:13 to 3:01pm, one of the latest in the state.

Udupi

• Kollur: The Mookambika temple at Kollur is one of Karnataka's most important Navaratri destinations, and many families bring children for Vidyarambha on Vijayadashami.
• Pili Vesha: Udupi's tiger dancers are a highlight of the Navaratri season.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Udupi is 2:14 to 3:01pm.

Uttara Kannada

Karwar, Sirsi, Kumta, Honnavar and Gokarna celebrate Navaratri at local temples, with Ayudha Puja on Mahanavami. The Vijay Muhurat in Karwar is 2:16 to 3:03pm, the latest of any district headquarters.

Malnad and central Karnataka: Dasara 2026 in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga and Davanagere

The Malnad hills are home to Sringeri and Horanadu, while Shivamogga holds its own elephant procession.

Shivamogga

• Shivamogga Dasara: The city corporation's Dasara procession, with elephants from the Sakrebailu elephant camp, starts from the Shivappa Nayaka palace and ends at Freedom Park. In past years, an elephant has carried the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Shivamogga is 2:10 to 2:57pm.

Chikkamagaluru

• Sringeri: The Sharadamba temple of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, founded by Adi Shankara, draws large crowds during Navaratri, and families bring children for Aksharabhyasa, the start of formal learning.
• Horanadu: The Annapoorneshwari temple at Horanadu also marks Navaratri.
• Muhurat: The Vijay Muhurat in Chikkamagaluru is 2:10 to 2:57pm.

Chitradurga

Chitradurga's temples and families mark Navaratri with pujas, Gombe displays and Ayudha Puja. The Vijay Muhurat in Chitradurga is 2:07 to 2:54pm.

Davanagere

Davanagere celebrates Navaratri at its temples and in homes, with Ayudha Puja in the city's many workshops and businesses. The Vijay Muhurat in Davanagere is 2:09 to 2:56pm.

Kittur Karnataka: Dasara 2026 in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Bagalkot and Vijayapura

North Karnataka's Dasara blends Kannada and Marathi traditions, with Banni leaf exchanges and temple festivals.

Belagavi

Belagavi's Kannada- and Marathi-speaking communities celebrate Navaratri with temple pujas, Durga Puja pandals and Banni exchanges on Vijayadashami. The Vijay Muhurat in Belagavi is 2:14 to 3:01pm.

Dharwad

Hubballi and Dharwad celebrate Navaratri at their temples, with Ayudha Puja in workshops and offices. The Vijay Muhurat in Dharwad is 2:12 to 2:59pm.

Gadag

Gadag and Betageri mark Navaratri with temple pujas and family celebrations. The Vijay Muhurat in Gadag is 2:10 to 2:57pm.

Haveri

Haveri's towns celebrate Navaratri at local temples and with Banni exchanges on Vijayadashami. The Vijay Muhurat in Haveri is 2:11 to 2:58pm.

Bagalkot

The Banashankari temple near Badami, dedicated to the goddess, is a focal point for devotees in the district, which is also home to the heritage sites of Aihole and Pattadakal. The Vijay Muhurat in Bagalkot is 2:09 to 2:56pm.

Vijayapura

Vijayapura celebrates Navaratri at its temples and in homes, with Banni exchanges on Vijayadashami. The Vijay Muhurat in Vijayapura is 2:09 to 2:56pm.

Kalyana Karnataka: Dasara 2026 in Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari and Vijayanagara

Kalyana Karnataka is where the Vijayanagara kings' Mahanavami celebrations, ancestors of today's Mysuru Dasara, once took place.

Kalaburagi

Kalaburagi celebrates Navaratri at its temples, with Ayudha Puja and Banni exchanges. The Vijay Muhurat in Kalaburagi is 2:04 to 2:51pm.

Bidar

Bidar, Karnataka's northernmost district, marks Navaratri with temple pujas and family celebrations. The Vijay Muhurat in Bidar is 2:01 to 2:48pm.

Yadgir

Yadgir's towns and villages celebrate Navaratri with temple pujas and Ayudha Puja. The Vijay Muhurat in Yadgir is 2:03 to 2:50pm.

Raichur

Raichur celebrates Navaratri at local temples and in homes. The Vijay Muhurat in Raichur is 2:02 to 2:49pm.

Koppal

Koppal district includes Anegundi and Anjanadri Hill, which local tradition links with Kishkindha of the Ramayana, a fitting backdrop for a festival that celebrates Lord Rama's victory. The Vijay Muhurat in Koppal is 2:08 to 2:54pm.

Ballari

Ballari's Kanaka Durgamma temple, dedicated to the goddess, is a focal point for Navaratri in the city. The Vijay Muhurat in Ballari is 2:05 to 2:51pm.

Vijayanagara

Hampi's Mahanavami Dibba is the great platform from which the Vijayanagara kings watched the Mahanavami festivities, a tradition that later passed to the Wodeyars of Mysuru. The Vijay Muhurat in Hosapete is 2:07 to 2:54pm.

Karnataka's Dasara traditions

• Gombe Habba: Families arrange dolls on tiered steps through Navaratri, often with the traditional pattada gombe (a royal couple of dolls), and invite friends to see them.
• Saraswati Puja: Books and instruments are placed before Goddess Saraswati during Navaratri.
• Ayudha Puja: On Mahanavami, tools, machines, vehicles and weapons are cleaned, decorated and worshipped.
• Banni exchange: On Vijayadashami, families exchange banni (shami) leaves as a symbol of gold and wish each other a prosperous year.
• Vidyarambha: Young children write their first letters on Vijayadashami, especially at Kollur and Sringeri.
• Pili Vesha: Tiger dancers perform through the coastal districts during Navaratri.

Frequently asked questions

When is Dasara 2026 in Karnataka?

Navaratri runs from Sunday 11 October to Tuesday 20 October 2026, and Vijayadashami falls on Wednesday 21 October. Mahanavami and Ayudha Puja are on 20 October.

Why is Vijayadashami on 21 October in Karnataka when other calendars say 20 October?

Karnataka's Dasara schedule follows the Mysuru panchanga, which places Vijayadashami on 21 October, when Dashami is the tithi at sunrise. Calendars that use the afternoon rule, such as Drik Panchang, list 20 October.

What are the Karnataka government holidays for Dasara 2026?

Karnataka's 2026 holiday list includes Mahalaya Amavasya on Saturday 10 October, Mahanavami and Ayudha Puja on Tuesday 20 October, and Vijayadashami on Wednesday 21 October.

When is Mysuru Dasara 2026 and the Jamboo Savari?

Mysuru Dasara 2026 runs from 11 to 21 October. The Jamboo Savari is on Wednesday 21 October, with the Chief Minister's floral tribute to Goddess Chamundeshwari between 4:10 and 4:35pm.

What is Srirangapatna Dasara?

Srirangapatna Dasara is a three-day festival in Mandya district, where Raja Wodeyar I celebrated Navaratri in 1610. It features a Jamboo Savari with Goddess Chamundeshwari in a wooden howdah, and its 2026 dates will be announced by the district administration.

When is Madikeri Dasara 2026?

Madikeri Dasara's highlight, the all-night procession of illuminated mantapas from ten temples, begins on the night of Vijayadashami and ends the next morning. Check the Madikeri Dasara committee's announcement for the 2026 programme.

What is Mangaluru Dasara?

Mangaluru Dasara is held at Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple, where idols of the Navadurgas and Sharada Mata are worshipped through Navaratri. On Vijayadashami, a grand procession with the idols and tableaux leaves the temple in the late afternoon and continues through the city overnight.

Which other districts hold Dasara processions?

Shivamogga holds a city Dasara procession with elephants from the Sakrebailu camp, Srirangapatna in Mandya has its own Jamboo Savari, and Kodagu has mantapa processions in Madikeri and Gonikoppa.

When does the Hasanamba temple open in 2026?

The Hasanamba temple in Hassan opens on the first Thursday after Ashwayuja Purnima, which in 2026 is expected to be Thursday 29 October, with darshan continuing until around Balipadyami. The district administration confirms the dates.

What is the Vijay Muhurat in Bengaluru and Mangaluru?

For families who follow the afternoon rule and observe Vijayadashami on 20 October, the Vijay Muhurat is 2:02 to 2:50pm in Bengaluru and 2:13 to 3:01pm in Mangaluru.

What are Karnataka's traditional Dasara customs?

Karnataka's Dasara customs include the Gombe doll display, Saraswati Puja, Ayudha Puja on Mahanavami, the exchange of banni leaves on Vijayadashami, Vidyarambha for young children and the Pili Vesha tiger dance on the coast.

Related reading on HinduTone

• Mysore Dasara 2026: day-by-day guide
• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: complete guide
• Dussehra 2026 in the USA: state-by-state guide
• Hindu temple directory
• Today's panchangam

Sources and verification

• Dates and holidays: Karnataka 2026 holiday lists from Keka and factoHR; the Mysuru Dasara schedule from PTI via Webindia123 and Siasat; ShubhDivas for Dashami timings; and Drik Panchang's Kannada calendar for the afternoon-rule date. District Vijay Muhurat timings were calculated by HinduTone with the same sunrise-to-sunset method used by Drik Panchang and cross-checked against published windows.
• Districts: Wikipedia on Bengaluru South district.
• Mysuru and Srirangapatna: Star of Mysore and News Karnataka on the elephants, Wikipedia on Srirangapatna's 1610 Navaratri, and Deccan Herald on Srirangapatna Dasara.
• Kodagu, the coast and Shivamogga: Wikipedia on Madikeri Dasara; Daijiworld and Mangalore Today on Mangaluru Dasara; and Deccan Herald on Shivamogga Dasara.
• Hassan and Sringeri: Deccan Herald and NewKerala on the Hasanamba temple, TempleTimings on expected 2026 dates, and Wikipedia on Sringeri Sharada Peetham.
• Last verified: 17 September 2026. Local festival dates can change, so check with district committees and temples before you travel.

Complete Dussehra 2026 guide network

Planning Dussehra & Vijayadashami 2026 elsewhere? Every guide has the local Vijay Muhurat, Navratri and Durga Puja dates, and confirmed events:

• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026 — complete guide
• Dussehra 2026 in the USA — state-by-state
• Dussehra 2026 in Canada — province-by-province
• Dussehra 2026 in the UK — region-by-region
• Dussehra 2026 in Europe — country-by-country
• Dussehra 2026 in Australia — city-by-city
• Dussehra 2026 in Malaysia — state-by-state
• Dussehra 2026 in Singapore — area-by-area
• Mysore Dasara 2026 — day-by-day guide