Seer invited to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara 2026

Mysuru officials have formally invited Abhinava Gavisiddheshwara to inaugurate the city’s 2026 Dasara festivities on October 11. Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, who is also the special officer for the festival, delivered the invitation during a visit to Gavimath in Koppal on Sunday.

Members of the Mysuru Dasara Reception Committee accompanied him. The seer has been asked to inaugurate the celebrations atop Chamundi Hills. The delegation included Mysuru Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer Yukesh Kumar, Chamundeshwari Hill Development Authority secretary M.J.

Roopa and deputy secretary M. Basavaraj. Koppal Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal and Koppal Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer Varnit Negi also joined the visit.

Officials presented the seer with flowers and fruits on behalf of the reception committee. The delegation arrived at Gavimath at about 2pm and formally extended the invitation. The seer subsequently invited the officials to partake of prasada.

Reddy and Kumar also climbed the hill and had darshan of the Karthru Gadde, described in the report as the sacred seat associated with the founder of the mutt. During the visit, the officials praised the green surroundings and clean environment of Gavimath. They also viewed photographs showing the size and religious significance of the Gavisiddheshwara Jatra.

Itnal explained that the jatra draws lakhs of devotees, many of whom arrive carrying agricultural produce and food grains. The event is popularly described as the Kumbh Mela of South India because of its large gathering of devotees.