Mysuru Palace official criticises Dasara 2026 arrangements, seeks protocol changes

Pramoda Devi, the custodian of Mysuru Palace, has expressed serious reservations about the management of Dasara 2026, flagging inadequacies in security protocols and inter-agency coordination during this year's festivities. In a formal communication, Devi highlighted lapses in how the ten-day festival was conducted and outlined several recommendations for future celebrations.

Among her key proposals is the relocation of the deity's Ambari procession from its traditional timing to the Rathotsava day, aimed at streamlining logistics and reducing coordination challenges. She has also sought assurances that the palace premises will remain free of government activities on Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami—two significant religious observances in the Hindu calendar—to preserve the sanctity of these occasions.

The custodian's concerns underscore the complex interplay between heritage preservation and festival management at one of South India's most prominent cultural venues. The Mysuru Palace, a symbol of the region's royal heritage, hosts the annual Dasara celebrations, which attract lakhs of visitors and require extensive coordination between palace authorities, government agencies, and security personnel.

These recommendations are expected to be reviewed by relevant authorities overseeing the festival's organisation as they prepare for future celebrations. The issues raised reflect broader challenges in balancing public access, security requirements, and religious protocols at heritage sites hosting major festivals.