The world-famous Mysuru Dasara is renowned for its grandeur, cultural programmes, traditional celebrations and spectacular events like the Jumbo Savari and Torchlight Parade. Every year, thousands of tourists from India and abroad visit Mysuru to enjoy the festivities.
But visitors to some of the major Dasara events in person this year will have to spend more. The final ticket prices are not only the base ticket cost but also booking charges and GST, increasing the amount payable by visitors.
Mysuru Dasara Gold Card costs ₹6,961
The Gold Card is one of the most sought-after cards for visitors looking to access many Dasara attractions and is priced at ₹6,500.
With the new booking fee of ₹390 and GST of ₹70.20, the total amount payable is ₹6,961.
The Gold Card offers visitors access to special viewing arrangements for the Dasara occasions. With the festival's popularity and relatively few premium viewing options available, these cards will be very popular and in demand among tourists and local people.
With visitors planning their Dasara trip, the additional booking fee and GST are therefore important costs to factor into their overall budget.
Jumbo Savari Ticket at ₹3,831
The Jumbo Savari is the centrepiece of Mysuru Dasara and attracts huge crowds every year. The grand procession includes the decorated elephants, cultural performances, traditional music and other ceremonial elements.
This year, visitors who purchase a ticket to see the Jumbo Savari from selected points will also have to pay additional charges over the base ticket price.
The final ticket price is reported to be ₹3,831 after applicable booking charges and GST are added.
Based on the increase in the last payable amount, tourists seeking a designated viewing experience for the iconic procession will have to plan their expenses accordingly.
Why is the final ticket price more expensive?
The difference between the displayed base price and the amount paid by visitors is mostly due to additional charges.
For the Gold Card, the calculation is:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gold Card base price | ₹6,500 |
| Booking fee | ₹390 |
| GST | ₹70.20 |
| Total | ₹6,961 |
This means visitors should see the full price, not only the base ticket rate, when planning their Dasara expenditure.
Mysuru Dasara still attracts tourists
Mysuru Dasara is one of Karnataka’s biggest annual cultural festivals and has a history dating back over a century. The festival transforms Mysuru into a major tourist destination, with events taking place throughout the city.
The celebrations usually involve cultural events, music and dance performances, illumination, exhibitions and traditional rituals. The Jumbo Savari and Torchlight Parade are the two big attractions for large numbers of people.
The Jumbo Savari held on the last day of Dasara is very popular because of the royal elephants and the ceremonial procession through the city.
Visitors come from different parts of India and overseas, and therefore there will be high demand for such viewing arrangements.
Visitors need to plan ahead
Those who intend to attend Mysuru Dasara 2026 should factor in the extra charges to their travel and event budget. Meanwhile, hotel and transportation costs, food costs, and even food prices will increase during the festival period due to the large number of visitors who arrive in Mysuru.
For families and groups, the ticket cost can add up quickly for premium viewing options (e.g., Gold Card).
The higher final prices are therefore likely to be an important consideration for tourists deciding which Dasara events they want to attend in person.
Even at a higher price, Mysuru Dasara is still a prime destination for those who want to experience Karnataka’s heritage, traditions and cultural events. And with the festival’s signature events back in session and the city's traditional festival to be celebrated, once again tourists and residents will come together for the big event.
