Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara formally invited to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara

Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy with Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swamiji at Koppal on Sunday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, who is also the Special Officer for Dasara Festival, visited the Gavimath in Koppal along with members of the Dasara Reception Committee on Sunday and formally invited Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara 2026.

The soothsayer was invited to inaugurate on October 11 at the top of Chamundi Hills.

According to the statement, Koppal Deputy Commissioner Suresh Itnal and Koppal Zilla Panchayat CEO Varnit Negi accompanied Mr. Reddy and the members of the Mysuru Dasara Reception Committee.

After reaching Gavimath on Sunday at around 2 pm, Mr. Reddy formally extended an invitation on behalf of the Dasara Reception Committee and requested Swamiji to attend and inaugurate the event.

A delegation of Mysuru officials, including Mr. Reddy, Mysuru Zilla Panchayat CEO Yukesh Kumar, Chamundeshwari Hill Development Authority Secretary MJ Roop and Deputy Secretary M Basavaraj honored the seer by presenting him with flowers and fruits.

During the visit, the seer invited the officials to participate in prasads at Gavimath. Later, Mr. Reddy and Mr. Yukesh Kumar climbed the hill at Gavimath and had darshan of Karthru Gadde, the sacred abode associated with the founder of the mutt, the report said.

During the visit, the delegation expressed their appreciation for the lush green surroundings and clean, peaceful environment of Gavimathu.

They also viewed photographs depicting the massive participation and religious significance of the Gavisiddheshwara Jatra, which is popularly described as the Kumbh Mela of South India due to the huge gathering of devotees, the statement said.

Mr. Itnal explained to his Mysuru counterpart the unique features of the Gavimath Jatra, during which thousands of devotees participate and arrive carrying agricultural produce and food grains.

Published – 04 Oct 2026 21:25 IST