In the Mysuru Torchlight Parade, motorcycle stunts, horse riding await the spectators
Police personnel at a marching procession held as part of Dasara at Bannimantap Grounds. File | Photo credit: MA Sriram
MYSURA
As the city heads towards the climax of the Vijayadashami celebrations, spectacular motorcycle stunts, equestrian performances and a drone show as part of the procession await spectators at the Bannimantap Ground on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) evening.
Personnel of the Karnataka Police, Mounted Police Companies, Mysuru and the Army are gearing up for the event, horse riding and motorcycle stunts are the main attractions.
Parade Commander Suresh, ACP, Mounted Police Company, Mysore will lead the march.
Newly sworn-in Governor Sudha Yadava will be the chief guest. They receive a guard of honor when inspecting various police contingents. The cadets will begin the march after receiving permission from the governor.
The ceremonial salvo will be accompanied by the playing of the national anthem performed by the police band, during which 21 cannons will be fired. King Power, a horse with a national medal, will gallop four times, according to available information.
18 platoons of 28 cadets each along with two platoons of horses will take part in the parade. The 18 platoons will include armed forces personnel, constables, militia and railway cadets.
Senior Constable Suresh Malali and Superintendent of Police SD Sasanoor will lead the performance of Mounted Police Company, which will showcase horse riding, jumping and the iconic tent-standing action.
Around 15 horses and their riders will take part in the show, with each performance lasting 12 to 15 minutes. A total of 30 members of the Mounted Police Company will participate, including support staff.
This year’s tent circling show will feature riders maneuvering six horses in vertical and horizontal formations.
In the jumping event, horse riders will jump over six wooden poles and a brick box. A fire jumping performance will also be prepared to entertain the audience.
Preparations for equestrian performances began in August. Since horses are sensitive animals, their selection for the show takes into account weather conditions, their performance in the previous year and input from veterinarians.
India marks the burning of Dasara and the immersion of Durga | In the pictures
A new range of idols representing Lord Jagannath of Puri and dolls depicting scenes from the Ramayana are among the items on display at a sales exhibition organized by Poompuhar Showroom in Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu on October 4, 2026.
Artistes of the Panghat Garba Group immerse themselves in a high-energy pre-Navratri rehearsal at Rajwad in Ahmedabad on October 4, 2026.
Panghat Garba Group artistes wrapped up their performance at Rajwadu Traditional Restaurant in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Idols of Goddess Durga are displayed for sale in a market in Hyderabad, Telangana on October 5, 2026.
An artisan gives final touches to idols of Goddess Durga at a workshop in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh on October 7, 2026.
An artisan sprays colors on idols of Goddess Durga in Kumartuli, Kolkata’s historic pottery district, in preparation for the Durga Puja festival on October 7, 2026.
An artist depicting the goddess Kali performs a fire stunt during the Dasara Navaratri procession organized by devotees at the Chennakesavaswamy temple circle in Ongola, Andhra Pradesh, on October 14, 2026.
Devotees visit the beautifully decorated Durga Puja pandal in Secunderabad, Telangana on October 16, 2026.
Organized by the UTSAB Cultural Association, members of the Bengali community take part in the traditional Prabhat Pheri – singing devotional songs and playing traditional instruments – as part of Durga Puja celebrations in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on October 16, 2026.
Devotees pray and click pictures at Minto Road Mandal during Durga Puja celebrations in New Delhi on October 16, 2026.
Devotees pray and seek the blessings of Goddess Kanaka Durga at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri during Dasara Devi Navaratri celebrations in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh on October 17, 2026.
A priest prays at a pandal displaying an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga during the Durga Puja festival in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on October 17, 2026.
A traditional artist paints portraits on the masks of the demon king Ravana at a workshop ahead of the Dussehra celebrations in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, October 17, 2026. An effigy of Ravana is traditionally burnt by devotees to mark the culmination of the Durga Puja festival.
Intricate aerial formations light up the sky during the Dasara festival drone parade at the Torchlight Parade Grounds in Mysuru, Karnataka on October 17, 2026.
A priest at a Durga Puja pandal during the Durga Puja and Navratri festival at Allen Park on Park Street in Kolkata on October 17, 2026.
As part of their religious ceremonies, devotees wear a kaappa (sacred thread on the wrist) and dress up in various costumes to collect offerings for the god and fulfill their vows. Thousands of Dasara devotees and groups from Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and other districts in Tamil Nadu started arriving at Kulasekrapattinam on 17 October 2026.
Devotees dressed as gods, mythological figures and other characters during the annual Dasara festival at the Mutharamman temple in Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.
Devotees in striking costumes at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district. Soorasamharam (destruction of the demon), the highlight of the festival, will be held at midnight on October 20, 2026.
As thousands of devotees are expected to attend the grand event, the city witnesses a constant influx of pilgrims from various parts of Tamil Nadu.
People form a formation for ‘garba’ celebrations during the ‘Navratri’ festival in Rajkot, Gujarat on October 17, 2026.
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Adding to the excitement will be a daring display by 30 motorcyclists from the Army Service Corps (ASC) Tornadoes, the official motorcycle team of the Indian Army based at the ASC Center and College, Bengaluru. The team led by Major Amrit Panda will perform a number of stunts, according to sources.
The motorcycle display will be followed by the most prominent feature of Mysuru Dasara — Torchlight Parade (Panjina Kavayitu). Around 300 armed constables from across Karnataka will carry burning torches to form the words ‘Welcome’ and ‘Jai Chamundeshwari’ and will perform coordinated drills to conclude the parade.
Cultural performances, including the Colors of India show, will complete the spectacle. There will be sound and light shows between performances.
The much awaited drone show will light up the sky above Bannimantapa land for around 15 minutes.
The torchlight procession will start at 7pm and last approximately two hours.
Accident during test, injured personnel in action again
Two members of the Army Service Corps (ASC) Tornadoes sustained minor injuries when their motorcycles collided during a stunt test at the Bannimantap Torchlight Parade Ground late Monday evening (October 19, 2026).
According to sources, the accident occurred when the personnel were performing a high-speed X-shaped crossing maneuver. The injured personnel were immediately rushed to the hospital. Following the incident, the trial was halted midway through and organizers canceled live coverage of the trial for Tuesday (October 20).
However, during the evening rehearsal on October 20, the duo recovered and performed well, the Mysuru Police Commissioner’s office confirmed.
Published – 21 Oct 2026 09:34 IST