Mysore/Mysuru: The Dasara Exhibition and Flower Show emerged as the primary draws for tourists here during the recently concluded Dasara festival, according to data released by the Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) and the Department of Horticulture.

The exhibition, being held at Doddakere Maidan, attracted over three lakh visitors over the ten-day festival period. The Exhibition opened on the same day as the Dasara inauguration, making it an immediate must-visit destination for tourists.

The Dasara Exhibition showcases the rich culture, handicrafts and industries of Karnataka and other States. It has numerous stalls offering a wide range of products, from textiles and handicrafts to food items and household goods.

Data reveals that on Oct. 15, the inaugural day, more than 20,000 tourists visited the expo. From Oct. 16 to 18, between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors attended, while from Oct. 19 to 24, the exhibition saw over 30,000 to 35,000 tourists.

On Vijayadashami Day, the venue recorded a peak footfall of 55,000 to 60,000 visitors. The high number of tourists flocking to stalls led to robust sales, leaving vendors from across the country with smiles on their faces. Typically, sales tend to pick up only in November or December after Dasara, as the Exhibition usually closes by December end or January first week.

 Flower Show footfalls

Another major attraction and a favourite among tourists is the Dasara Flower Show at Kuppanna Park, which also drew more than three lakh visitors during the ten-day festival. On Vijayadashami Day, over 50,000 visitors marvelled at the beauty of the floral displays and meticulously arranged floral models and topiaries.

The show featured over 85,000 flower pots, including various exotic flower varieties sourced from Kolkata and Pune. The highlight of the show was the Chandrayaan-3 model, crafted using more than 50,000 white chrysanthemum flowers, complete with the Bahubali rocket, Pragyan rover and Vikram lander.

Suveda, Senior Assistant Director of the Horticulture Department, noted a substantial demand from the public to extend the Flower Show for a few additional days after Dasara. This year’s show broke previous records, she added.

Collectively, the Dasara Exhibition and Flower Show played a pivotal role in boosting the Mysuru economy, creating employment and self-employment opportunities for hundreds of individuals. The events also attracted tourists from across India and around the world.

Tourists stay put

According to C. Narayanagowda, President of the Mysuru Hotel Owners Association, this year saw full occupancy in all accommodations in Mysuru, including hotels, lodges, resorts, home stays and serviced apartments, starting from Oct. 22. The run-up to the festival also reported over 40 percent occupancy.

“A small percentage of tourists have left Mysuru, while the rest remain. They will be vacating their rooms in two- three days,” added Gowda.