Mysuru: Mysuru today witnessed heavy rush of tourists especially from Kerala, who have been thronging city since Saturday last following long Onam holidays.

With Bakrid celebrated on Sept. 2, Onam being celebrated today and the Kerala Government declaring holidays for the celebrations, there was a huge rush at the Mysuru Zoo, resulting in traffic chaos on the busy Mysuru Zoo Road, this morning.

Sinu Kuttan, a tourist from Palakkad, speaking to SOM said that Onam is one of the biggest festivals in Kerala during which schools are closed for 10 days and added that, he along with his family members, visit various tourist destinations during these holidays every year. He said that, this year, they had decided to visit Mysuru where they will be visiting Zoo, Mysore Palace today and KRS, Ranganathittu and other tourist spots tomorrow before heading back to Kerala.

Meanwhile, a total of 8,668 tourists including children visited Mysuru Zoo and 272 tourists visited the Karanji Lake and Nature Park till 12 noon today. Yesterday, the Zoo had recorded a footfall of 19,357 tourists including children. While 1,886 tourists visited the Karanji Lake and Nature Park which earned a revenue of Rs. 12.29 lakh.