Dasara 2026: The grandeur of Karnataka’s Naad Habba

Goddess Sharade was taken in a grand procession as part of Dasara Shobhayatra at Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple in Mangaluru on October 21, 2026. | Photo credit: HS MANJUNATH

Also known as ‘Naada Habba’ or the State Festival, Dasara is a much-awaited annual event in Karnataka’s cultural calendar. While many outside the state associate the festival only with Mysuru’s majestic Jamboo Savari and torchlight procession, the dazzling Dasara celebrations extend beyond just one city, with several districts indulging in grandeur and tradition in their own ways for 10 days.

This is a selection of stories by The Hindu’s Karnataka reporters, featuring a range of festivities from different regions and the many new ways the festival is getting bigger and richer every year.

Published – 22 Oct 2026 13:56 IST