Every October, a large part of Bengaluru seems to head down the highway to Mysuru. In 2026 the Mysuru Dasara runs for 11 days, from Sunday 11 October to Wednesday 21 October, ending with the Jamboo Savari elephant procession and the torchlight parade at Bannimantap. If you are planning the trip with family or friends, self-drive car rental in Bangalore lets you leave when you want, stop where you want and come back after the palace lights go off, without chasing bus seats or cab surge fares on the busiest days of the year.
This guide covers the confirmed Dasara 2026 dates, how to plan the Bangalore to Mysuru drive, which events are free and which need tickets, parking and traffic tips, and how Hire N Ride works for renters and for car owners who want to earn this festive season. You can browse available host cars on the self-drive car rental in Bangalore page as you plan.
Key Takeaways
- Dates: Mysuru Dasara 2026 runs 11–21 October. The festival opens atop Chamundi Hill on 11 October, and the Jamboo Savari and torchlight parade both fall on 21 October.
- The drive: the access-controlled Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway on NH-275 is about 118 km long, so a day trip is realistic, but festival traffic can make it much slower.
- Free vs ticketed: the palace illumination, the main procession route, cultural stages, the Flower Show and the Aahara Mela are free; enclosure seats for the Jamboo Savari, the torchlight parade and the drone shows need tickets from the official portal.
- Timing: the palace is lit every evening from 7 pm to 10 pm, and until midnight on Sundays and Vijayadashami.
- Weather: the 16-day outlook for both cities shows warm days with scattered showers, so carry an umbrella and allow extra driving time.
- Car owners: Dasara and Diwali weekends are a strong time to list your car on Hire N Ride, collect reviews and let us handle compliance reminders.
Mysuru Dasara 2026: the dates that matter
The Karnataka government fixed the schedule early this year. According to the official programme and local reporting, including News Karnataka's guide to the 2026 tickets, these are the key moments:
- 11 October (Sunday): inauguration of the Nada Habba atop Chamundi Hill. The palace and city illumination also begin that evening.
- 11–21 October: daily palace illumination, cultural programmes on the palace grounds and other stages, the Dasara Flower Show, the Aahara Mela food festival and the Dasara exhibition.
- 17 and 18 October: ticketed drone show evenings at the Torchlight Parade Grounds, Bannimantap.
- 21 October (Wednesday, Vijayadashami): the Jamboo Savari, when the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari in the golden howdah is carried through the city, followed by the torchlight parade (Panjina Kavayathu) at Bannimantap in the evening.
The district administration runs the official website, mysoredasara.gov.in, with event schedules, ticket booking, procession route and parking maps, and traffic advisories from the Mysuru City Traffic Police. Check it the night before you drive, because timings and diversions can change.
Why a self-drive car works best for the Bangalore to Mysuru trip
Public transport between Bengaluru and Mysuru is good on normal days, but Dasara is not a normal week. Buses and trains fill up, and on procession day almost everyone wants to leave Mysuru at the same time. A rented car gives you options that fixed timetables cannot:
- Flexible departure: leave Bengaluru before sunrise to beat the traffic, or late in the afternoon if you only want to see the illumination.
- Space for the family: carry snacks, water, rain gear, a stroller or a folding chair for long waits.
- Night returns on your terms: the palace lights stay on until 10 pm on most nights and until midnight on Sundays and Vijayadashami. With your own car, you can stay till the end and drive back when the roads clear, or stay the night.
- Side trips: Chamundi Hill, the Srirangapatna area and the countryside around Mysuru are easy to add when you are not tied to a tour group.
On Hire N Ride you book a car listed by a local host, complete digital KYC and can confirm with a partial payment. Many hosts offer delivery to your home, hotel, railway station or airport, so check the pickup options on your chosen listing.
Planning the drive: Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway tips
The Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway, part of NH-275, is an access-controlled highway of roughly 118 km with service roads on both sides. When it opened in 2023, The Hindu reported that it cuts the journey from about three hours to around 75 minutes. During Dasara, treat that as a best case, not a plan.
How to plan your timing
- Leave early: an early-morning start gives you lighter traffic out of Bengaluru and a relaxed breakfast stop on the way.
- Plan for tolls: the expressway is tolled. Make sure the car's FASTag works before you leave, and confirm with your host how toll charges are handled.
- Expect city diversions: local reports say Mysuru officials are planning diversions for traffic arriving from Bengaluru around the flyover works near Kempegowda Circle, and more may be added if volumes rise. Follow police signage and the official advisories.
- Drive to the conditions: scattered showers are in the forecast. Keep your speed sensible, leave a long gap to the vehicle ahead and switch on headlights in heavy rain.
- Fuel up in Bengaluru: fuel is not included in Hire N Ride bookings, so fill up before you get onto the expressway.
Suggested day plans
Illumination evening: leave Bengaluru after lunch, visit Chamundi Hill or walk around the city centre in the late afternoon, park before dusk and watch the palace lights come on at 7 pm. Have dinner in Mysuru and drive back late, or stay the night.
Weekend stay: drive down on Saturday morning, explore Mysuru and its surroundings, watch the Sunday illumination, when the lights stay on until midnight, and return on Monday morning.
Jamboo Savari day (21 October): plan to be in Mysuru the night before. The roads around the palace close from 11 am on procession day, and enclosure gates for ticket holders open at 10 am and close at 12:30 pm. Driving from Bengaluru on the morning of the procession is not a good idea.
Free events and ticketed enclosures
You do not need a ticket to enjoy most of Dasara. According to the official ticket portal, as reported by News Karnataka, the main five-kilometre procession route, the palace illumination, the cultural stages, the Flower Show, the Aahara Mela and the public enclosures at Bannimantap are open to the public.
Tickets are needed for numbered enclosure seats at the Jamboo Savari, the torchlight parade enclosure, the drone shows and the Gold Card, which bundles several attractions. A few practical points for 2026:
- Book only on the official portal. The administration says its ticketing partner is the only authorised seller.
- Collect physical tickets. Online bookings must be exchanged for physical tickets at the Spandhana counter at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Mysuru, with the booking confirmation and a government photo ID. Build this into your plan, preferably the day before your event.
- Seats are numbered. Gold Cards and Jamboo Savari tickets carry printed seat numbers this year, so there is no need to rush for a spot inside the enclosure, but you still need to arrive before the gates close.
Parking and on-ground tips in Mysuru
- Park early and walk: the areas around the palace, Sayyaji Rao Road and Bannimantap get very crowded in the evenings. Use the designated parking areas shown on the official parking maps and walk the rest of the way.
- Keep the car simple: leave nothing visible inside, note where you parked (drop a pin on your phone) and carry a small bag with ID, water and a rain jacket.
- Plan a rest break before the drive home: a late night after the illumination followed by a two-hour drive is tiring. If you are sleepy, stay over or swap drivers if another licensed driver is on the booking.
- Inspect the car at pickup: walk around the car with the host, photograph any existing marks and check the tyres, wipers, lights and AC before a long drive.
How booking a car on Hire N Ride works
Hire N Ride is an Airbnb-style vehicle rental marketplace. Instead of a faceless counter, you book from a local host who has a professional profile, reviews from previous renters and a track record on the platform. Hosts earn their reputation trip by trip, which helps you choose with confidence.
- Open the Bangalore car rental page and choose your dates.
- Compare host listings, car types and reviews.
- Complete digital KYC and confirm your booking.
- Pick up the car, or arrange delivery if the host offers it.
- Return the car on time; the refundable security deposit refund is initiated within 24 hours.
For licence, age and deposit rules, see the Hire N Ride FAQ. Planning a festive trip in North India too? Read our Varanasi Navratri self-drive guide.
For car owners in Bengaluru: become a host this festive season
Dasara, Diwali and the long weekends that follow bring strong demand for self-drive cars out of Bengaluru. If your car spends weekdays parked at home or at the office, Hire N Ride helps you turn it into a small rental business without handling everything alone.
- Build a professional host profile: every trip adds to your reviews and reputation, and more good reviews bring more bookings.
- We manage the business side: Hire N Ride handles vehicle surveys, GPS management and compliance, with reminders for insurance renewal, PUC certificates, RC, permit expiry and servicing, so your car stays road-legal through the busy season.
- Verified renters: renters are licence-checked before they drive your car.
- Stay in control: set availability, unlist the car when you need it and manage several vehicles from one dashboard.
Ready to earn from your car? Become a host on Hire N Ride and get your listing live before the Dasara and Diwali weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Mysuru Dasara 2026?
Mysuru Dasara 2026 runs for 11 days, from 11 October to 21 October. The inauguration is atop Chamundi Hill on 11 October, and the Jamboo Savari and torchlight parade are on 21 October.
How far is Mysuru from Bangalore by car?
The Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway on NH-275 is roughly 118 km long. On a clear day it can take around 75–90 minutes, but plan for much longer during Dasara, especially on weekends and procession day.
What time is the Mysore Palace illumination during Dasara 2026?
The palace is lit every evening from 7 pm to 10 pm during the festival, and until midnight on Sundays and Vijayadashami. Viewing the illumination from outside is free.
Can I drive to the Jamboo Savari on 21 October?
You can drive to Mysuru, but roads around the palace close from 11 am on procession day. Arrive the day before, park at a designated area and walk. Ticket holders must reach the enclosure gates between 10 am and 12:30 pm.
What documents do I need for self-drive car rental in Bangalore?
You need a valid four-wheeler driving licence held for at least one year and must be at least 21 years old. Foreign nationals need an International Driving Permit and passport. Check the listing for any host-specific requirements.
Is fuel included, and is there a security deposit?
Fuel is not included. A refundable security deposit applies, and the refund is initiated within 24 hours of returning the car.
I own a car in Bengaluru. How can I list it on Hire N Ride?
Visit the List Your Vehicle page and sign up as a host. Hire N Ride supports hosts with vehicle surveys, GPS management and reminders for insurance, PUC, RC, permit expiry and servicing.
Conclusion
Mysuru Dasara 2026 is less than two weeks away, and the Bangalore to Mysuru drive is one of the easiest festival road trips in South India if you plan it well. Choose your evenings, check the official schedule and advisories, collect any tickets in advance and give yourself plenty of time on the road. With self-drive car rental in Bangalore, the palace lights, the elephants and the city's festive streets fit around your plans, not a bus timetable.
Book your ride: browse host cars on the Hire N Ride Bangalore car rental page. Own a car? Become a host and let it earn this festive season.
Banner photo: Mysore Palace illuminated at night, by Pinakpani, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Images cropped, resized and converted to WebP.
