Banu Mushtaq Inaugurates Mysuru Dasara Festival 2025 at Chamundi Hills

The world-famous Mysuru Dasara festival began on a grand note on September 22, 2025, with acclaimed Kannada writer and International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq inaugurating the celebrations atop the historic Chamundi Hills. The 11-day cultural extravaganza, known as Naada Habba (State Festival), will run until October 2, culminating in the spectacular Jumbo Savari procession through the heart of the city.

The inauguration took place during the auspicious Vrushchika Lagna, with Banu Mushtaq showering flowers on the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru, amid the chanting of Vedic hymns by temple priests. She was joined by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, cabinet ministers, and other dignitaries. Before the ceremony, Mushtaq and the state leaders offered prayers at the Chamundeshwari Temple, paying homage to the Naada Devate (state deity).

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah praised Mushtaq as a progressive voice in Kannada literature, lauding her contributions to farmers’ movements, social justice, and the promotion of the Kannada language. Her recent Booker Prize win for the short story collection Heart Lamp has brought her international recognition, making her an inspiring choice to lead the festival’s opening. This year’s Dasara will also feature a special air show, approved by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, adding a modern spectacle to the traditional celebrations.

 

The 2025 Mysuru Dasara promises a vibrant showcase of Karnataka’s rich heritage, with cultural performances, exhibitions, palace illuminations, and processions. The grand finale, the Jumbo Savari, will feature caparisoned elephants marching along a 5-km route, accompanied by folk troupes and tableaux that represent the state’s cultural diversity. With Banu Mushtaq’s historic inauguration, this year’s festivities are set to blend tradition, literature, and modern spectacle in a celebration that resonates far beyond Mysuru’s borders