Mysuru: The tourist places in and around the city including Palaces, Hills, Temples and Waterfalls is likely to see a spurt in visitors during the ensuing Dasara.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is gearing up to extend the darshan of these places from a mere four days last year to 14 days this year to the visitors by giving them the facilities at concessional rates.

“Just like last year, this year too the one-day package consisting of Jaladarshini, Giridarshini and Devadarshini will be introduced at concessional fares. Depending on the demand from the tourists, number  of buses will be increased.”

– M.Vasu, KSRTC Divisional Controller (Rural)

In the last couple of years, the KSRTC used to arrange the visits to places of tourist interests in the city and in the neighbouring districts during Dasara. It would organise the one-day ‘Darshini’ tour to all these places. This year too, the Darshini Durbar will continue. This is the first time excluding the Jumboo Savari day, the Darshini has been arranged for 14 days.

Realising that October 1 is a Sunday, Oct. 2 is Gandhi Jayanti and Oct. 5 Valmiki Jayanti,   and it could be an extended holiday period, the KSRTC, expecting a huge Dasara rush, has decided to continue the Dasara Darshini tour till Oct. 5.

 

Normally during Dasara season in order to introduce the tourists to waterfalls, ‘Jaladarshini,’ for the places of worship, ‘Devadarshini’ and to see the hills, ‘Giridarshini’ packages had been introduced. The KSRTC’s plan of Darshini visits started gaining popularity year after year.  Hence, this year too more tourists are likely to be attracted at this innovative idea of KSRTC.

Jaladarshini: In the Jaladarshini package, the tourists can visit Cauvery Nisarga Dhama in Dubare Forest at Kushalnagar (Golden Temple in Bylakuppe included in this package), Abby Falls, Harangi, KRS dam and return the same night to Mysuru. The 350-km package will cost Rs. 375 per adult and Rs. 190 per child.

Giridarshini: In the Giridarshini plan, Gopalaswamy Betta (Hill) in Gundlupet taluk  in Chamarajanagar District, Biligiriranganabetta, Nanjangud and Chamundi Hill will be covered. The rate of ticket per adult is Rs. 350 and for a child Rs. 175 to cover a distance of 325 kms.

Devadarshini: The temple tour package includes visit to Nanjangud’s Nanjundeshwara temple, Talakad, Bluff, Mudukutore, Srirangapatna, KRS and  return to Mysuru. The total distance covered will be 250 kms and the rate per adult is Rs. 275 and for a child Rs. 140.

The buses will leave every day at 6.30 in the morning from the Rural Bus Stand and the City Bus Stand and return by 9.30 in the night. The tickets will be available online or also at the counters to be opened at the bus stands.

More than 1000 tourists: Last year this special package was introduced and 11 trips each were done in Jaladarshini and Giridarshini packages and six trips in Devadarshini package. Nearly 1000 visitors had made use of these Darshini tours.

There was good response to these tours in a very short period. This year the tours will begin from the beginning of Navarathri festival and end five days after the Jumboo Savari, hence benefiting more number of tourists.