Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Mahaswamiji to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara

The Karnataka government has formally invited Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Mahaswamiji of Gavimutt to inaugurate the 2026 Mysuru Dasara festival. Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi extended the invitation in Koppal, where the seer has accepted the request.

Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar expressed pride in the selection, noting that the presence of the revered seer would enhance the cultural and spiritual significance of the historic festival. The 2026 celebrations are scheduled to take place over 11 days, from October 11 to October 21.

Following the initial invitation, the Mysuru District Administration, led by District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah and Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, is scheduled to visit Gavimutt on October 3 to formally extend the invitation on behalf of the district.

Additionally, Gavimutt officials dismissed social media rumors suggesting the seer had declined the invitation due to industrial agitations, clarifying that his recent period of silence was unrelated to the festival invitation.