Dasara Drone Show and Grand Illumination Trigger Massive Traffic Jams in Mysuru

Grand illumination and large crowds returning from the Dasara drone show triggered massive traffic snarls across Mysuru on Saturday night. Vehicular movement slowed to a crawl in several key areas, keeping police busy until around midnight. The worst congestion occurred in the city centre, particularly around the Mysuru Palace and the Dasara Exhibition grounds. Roads leading to and around the palace saw a steady influx of vehicles as visitors arrived to view the illuminated palace, streets, and heritage structures. Heavy traffic was also reported around the railway station and the sub-urban bus terminal.

Record-Breaking Show

The crowds were drawn by a record-breaking display organised by Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited and performed by BotLab Dynamics, an IIT Delhi-incubated startup. On the night of October 18, 3,473 drones rose above the Torchlight Parade Ground in Bannimantap to form a giant dancing peacock. This performance set a Guinness World Record for the biggest aerial display of a bird made by multirotors or drones.

Attendance and Reactions

The venue drew over 40,000 attendees against a formal seated capacity of 33,500, while more than 20,000 people gathered outside. Overall, the event recorded a 154 percent spike in footfall from 2025. BotLab Dynamics marketing and comms lead Neha Verma noted that large-scale drone shows remain visible from distances of over 10 kilometres under suitable viewing conditions. Local resident Raghuvendra, who attended with three generations of his family, said the drone show has become a core part of Dasara celebrations.

Context

Dasara festivities in Mysuru routinely draw hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists, placing severe strain on local infrastructure and traffic management. The annual celebration centres around historical royal traditions, grand illuminations of public buildings, and large-scale cultural events that require intensive coordination from city police.