Mysuru Dasara 2026 celebrations have been under pressure again after Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, a member of the royal family, wrote strongly in an editorial that protocol violations were not being followed, the coordination of government departments was poor, and police personnel failed to perform their duty during the historic festival.
The royal family’s detailed press statement has put the state government under pressure for the Dasara celebrations. The golden howdah that Goddess Chamundeshwari was carried on the Vijayadashami procession has been the property of the royal family and not government property. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar has made it clear that the golden howdah is the private property of the royal family and if the issues are not resolved, it is not going to be available for next year’s Jamboo Savari.
Private Parking Encroachment and Security Questions
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar claimed that the royal family’s private parking area had been encroached upon and barricades had been installed in every direction to make palace ceremonies impossible. She said such incidents had led to the royal family having to think twice about their plan to conduct the traditional procession of Goddess Chamundeshwari on Vijayadashami. Her comments have raised questions as to whether changes can be made to the arrangements of the 2027 Mysuru Dasara celebrations.
She also expressed her disappointment in the handling of the elephant selected to carry the golden howdah. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar said that for the first time in 45 years, details about the elephant were not disclosed to the royal family until the final stages of the preparations. She was told which elephant had been assigned responsibility just five days before the event. The delay put great pressure on her and made it more difficult for the royal household to prepare.
Golden Howdah Is Royal Property, Says Pramoda Devi Wadiyar
Ownership and security of the golden howdah had also been one of the central issues of the statement. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar raised concerns about police personnel and family members gathered around the precious ceremonial object to take selfies and take photographs despite security barriers, she said.
“The Mysuru Police Commissioner had assured the royal family that precautions would be taken to prevent any damage to the howdah, and the royal family accepted to provide the howdah as per the commissioner’s request and promises,” she said.
But she claimed that unauthorised people from various government ministries were entering the restricted area even though official passes were issued only to the designated persons. It was a breach of the assurance given to the royal family about security arrangements.
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar also expressed disappointment at the treatment of representatives sent by the royal family to retrieve the golden howdah safely. Police personnel and a Deputy Commissioner of Police from the law and order division acted inappropriately and pushed the representatives, she said. The golden howdah is private property of the palace, she said and required that the royal family’s ownership and its safety and maintenance be respected.
Coordination Issues in Traditional Palace Rituals
The statement also highlighted confusion about the traditional Vajramushti wrestling event, which is a popular event with the Jatti community during the Dasara celebrations. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar said the Vajramushti contest does not have a separate religious significance or symbolic significance in the Vijayadashami rituals. On the other hand, the palace ceremony of the ceremonial sword cutting a grey pumpkin is connected with the Uttara Puja ritual, in which an auspicious time is fixed in advance as well as the Vijayadashami procession.
This year there was a lack of coordination between the two groups involved in the Jatti wrestling tradition, she said. A group of wrestlers entered the palace premises, and the other group was not able to enter it, the statement said. Police refused to let the group enter a particular gate and coordination gaps among the groups led to the mishap, it added. We are not sure how to plan and manage this festival, and the event is worrying.
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar Suggests Changes to the Procession Schedule
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar suggested a solution that the government should organise the golden howdah procession from Mysuru Palace to Bannimantap on the evening of the day when the Rathotsava of Goddess Chamundeshwari takes place at Chamundi Hill. She said this would help the government coordinate the cultural programme with the religious ceremonies of the royal family.
According to her point of view, holding the procession on the evening of the Rathotsava would make it possible for the state government to organise it with dignity and grandeur befitting the presiding deity of Mysuru. She added government-organised Dasara events should be structured in such a way that the temple's religious traditions are protected and not affected by the government rituals.
Palace Should Remain Open for Ceremonies on Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar also suggested that the government continue to do cultural programmes in the palace premises from the first to the seventh day of Navaratri. But she said that the palace area should be free from government cultural activities on Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami. This, she said, would allow the royal family to conduct its traditional religious ceremonies according to its requirements and without outside interference.
The statement has raised new questions about Mysuru Dasara preparations and coordination of the state government, the police and the royal household. The golden howdah, private palace areas, security arrangements and traditional rituals have raised questions about how the future celebrations should be organised.
Pramoda Devi Wadiyar has suggested changes to the procession schedule and the use of palace premises, but the question of the golden howdah for Vijayadashami Jamboo Savari in 2027 is still a big issue in the wake of the 2026 celebrations.
The developments have highlighted how good communication must be conducted, respect for historical customs and good coordination between the government and the royal family are crucial for continued Mysuru Dasara celebrations.
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