Grand procession featuring elephants and cultural troupes to mark World Tourism Day celebrations in Mysuru - The HinduPublished - September 24, 2026 07:03 pm IST - MYSURUChairperson of World Tourism Day Celebrations Committee 2026 of Mysuru C. Narayana Gowda (second from left) addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Thursday. | Photo Credit: M.A. SriramA grand procession featuring elephants, tableaux and cultural troupes reflecting the grandeur of Dasara festival will be taken out in Mysuru as part of World Tourism Day celebrations on Sunday.Addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Thursday, Chairperson of World Tourism Day Celebrations Committee 2026 of Mysuru C. Narayana Gowda said the procession, which will start from Mysuru Palace premises and proceed along Sayyaji Rao Road up to Highway Circle will also comprise various police bands and mounted police, besides various folk and cultural troupes.The World Tourism Day celebration on September 27 precedes the Mysuru Dasara festival, which will be celebrated from October 11 to 21 this year.Tibetan and Kodava cultural troupes, Dollu Kunitha, horse-drawn carriages and Ambari bus will also be part of the procession, according to Mr. Gowda, who is also the President of Hotel Owners’ Association of Mysuru.Members of the hotel industry, which is a key component of Mysuru’s tourism sector, have been requested to participate in large numbers with banners representing their respective hotels, he said. By celebrating the World Tourism Day in Mysuru in a unique way by recreating the grandeur of Dasara, Mr. Gowda said the main objectives of the programme is to give a fresh impetus to tourism in Mysuru.The programme to be organised at Mysuru Palace seeks to introduce the city’s rich cultural heritage to tourists arriving from across India and abroad, and bring together all those directly and indirectly associated with the tourism sector on a common platform, he said.Special welcome for touristsTourists arriving at the Mysuru Palace on the World Tourism Day will be welcomed at 10 a.m. with roses and sweets. He said the initiative aims to provide every tourist visiting Mysuru with a hospitable experience and showcase the tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava.Mr. Gowda said that Mysuru’s tourism sector is directly linked to the livelihoods of hotels, restaurants, tourist vehicle operators, tourist guides, traders, artists, tourist attractions and several other businesses. Therefore, through this year’s World Tourism Day celebrations, efforts are being made to convey to tourists from India and abroad the message: “Mysuru — a city of hospitality, culture and heritage.”The programme is expected to be attended among others by Minister for Tourism K.J. George, Minister in-charge of Mysuru district Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MLAs T.S. Srivatsa, G.T. Deve Gowda, Tanveer Sait and Harish Gowda, besides senior officials of the Department of Tourism and Palace Board, besides Advisor to Tourism Minister Santrupta.Published - September 24, 2026 07:03 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }