Mysuru Dasara set for October 11–21 as gold fraud and Miyawaki parks make news
Preparations for the 2026 Mysuru Dasara moved into high gear in early September as Chief Minister DK Shivakumar called for a grander festival and reached out to regional political leaders. At the same time, a gold savings scheme fraud came to light near Vivekananda Circle, and the city corporation launched a new urban afforestation drive.
🎉 Dasara to span October 11–21 with southern CMs invited
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has decided to invite the chief ministers of all southern states to this year's Mysuru Dasara, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. Reviewing festival preparations on Thursday, Shivakumar directed officials to organise the celebrations in a distinctly different manner and to make the 2026 edition grand and unique. He instructed officials to immediately dispatch invitation letters to the chief ministers of all southern states. The Dasara festivities are scheduled to begin with the inauguration on October 11 and to conclude on October 21. The district administration has been asked to make suitable arrangements should any of the invited chief ministers attend the inauguration, closing ceremony, or other events during the eleven-day festival. Among additional decisions taken at the review meeting, Shivakumar raised the possibility of staging an air show during the Dasara period and said he would take up the proposal with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Officials were also asked to approach the Air Force and Army for tableaux to be part of the procession and celebrations. The 2026 Mysuru Dasara thus aims to incorporate high-level political participation from across southern India alongside expanded programming including a potential aerial display not previously part of the festivities. [1]
🗳️ Gold scheme fraud: over 80 customers left without their savings
A jewellery shop owner in Mysuru has been taken into custody after allegedly collecting monthly instalments from more than 80 customers under a gold savings scheme and then leaving the city without delivering the gold or informing those affected. The alleged fraud centred on Mohan Jewellery, a shop located near Vivekananda Circle. The owner, identified as Mohan Lal, had previously operated gold savings schemes over two earlier rounds, during which he collected monthly instalments and delivered gold as promised, building trust among his clientele. Encouraged by these earlier dealings, several customers reportedly invested larger sums in the latest scheme, expecting to receive gold through continued monthly contributions. However, the shop remained closed for approximately a week, raising alarm among participating customers. Complainants told authorities that Mohan Lal had also vacated his residence and left the city without notifying those affected by the scheme. More than 80 people are believed to have been affected in total. The exact amount allegedly collected had not been ascertained at the time of the report, published 3 September 2026. Police have taken the shop owner into custody as the investigation into the alleged fraud continues. [8]
Mysuru civic body launches Miyawaki parks with 17,000 saplings
The Mysuru City Corporation has begun work to develop two additional parks using the Miyawaki afforestation method, marking a new phase in the city's urban greening programme. The project involves planting 17,000 seedlings drawn from approximately 42 different plant species across the two park sites. Among the species being introduced are Albizia lebbeck, locally known as Baage, alongside Tabebuia and Peltophorum varieties, as well as further plant types. Work on the parks was reported on 3 September 2026. The Miyawaki method involves planting multiple native species close together to create dense, self-sustaining patches of vegetation capable of supporting ecological diversity. By selecting 42 species for the new parks, the corporation has adopted a multi-layered planting approach in contrast to conventional single-species park landscaping. The initiative adds to Mysuru's growing count of Miyawaki-method green spaces as civic authorities continue to invest in urban forestry. With 17,000 seedlings spanning a range of native species, the project represents a significant commitment by the city to expanding its green cover through a planting method that prioritises ecological complexity over uniformity and delivers canopy cover faster than conventional methods. [9]
Sources: [1] Deccan Herald · [8] The Siasat Daily · [9] Deccan Herald