Mysuru Dasara illumination will cover 146 kilometres of roads and 123 traffic circles this year, with more than 80 LED-lit replicas and a 3,500-drone show planned as part of the 11-day festival beginning on October 11.
The illumination will be formally switched on on the first day of the Dasara celebrations and will remain in place from October 11 to 21. The expanded lighting plan is intended to enhance Mysuru’s heritage-city landscape and support the large visitor turnout expected during the festival.
Last year, illumination covered 136 kilometres of roads and 118 circles. The new plan adds 10 kilometres of roads and five more circles to the festival network. More than 80 illuminated replicas will also be installed at prominent locations, compared with 80 replicas used last year.
The Central Electricity Supply Company of Karnataka, or CESC, is overseeing the arrangements. CESC Superintending Engineer Sunil Kumar told Prajavani that preparations had begun and that trial lighting was being conducted at several locations. He said the illumination would be officially launched on the evening of October 11.
The main routes identified for decoration include roads around the Amba Vilas Palace, New Sayyaji Rao Road, Irwin Road, Albert Victor Road, JLB Road, Chamaraja Double Road, Vinoba Road, the road near the Zilla Panchayat office, the road near the city police commissioner’s office and Devaraja Urs Road. Important highways on the outskirts of Mysuru will also receive illumination.
Decorative replicas and installations are planned at Dodda Gadiyara Maidan, K R Circle, Chamaraja Circle, Jayachamaraja Circle, Ramaswamy Circle, the area near the railway station, Gun House Circle and LIC Circle, among other locations. Fifty-one illuminated arches will also be installed along important roads and at major junctions, including Albert Victor Road, Sayyaji Rao Road, Krishnaraja Road, Jayachamarajendra Road, Chamarajendra Road, Ayurveda College and the JSS Mahavidyapeetha area.
According to CESC, the replicas will depict Mysuru’s maharajas, prominent personalities who contributed to the state and people from different fields. They will also include representations of major government programmes, including the ‘five guarantees’ schemes. The installations are expected to turn key public roads and junctions into festival viewing zones after dark.
The drone show will also be larger than in previous years. A 1,500-drone display was held in 2024, while 3,000 drones were used during shows on September 28, 29, October 1 and 2 last year. This year, 500 additional drones are being added, taking the planned fleet to 3,500. The show will be held at the torchlight parade ground in Bannimantap.
Last year, the illumination continued for several days beyond the scheduled 21-day period following public demand. The current plan covers the official festival period, while any extension will depend on subsequent decisions by the authorities.
