On V-day, couples crowd tourist spots, temples

Karanji Lake Nature Park, Chamundi Hill favourite with lovers

On Valentine’s Day on Sunday, people treated and exchanged gifts with their loved ones, besides spending the day together. Most tourist spots in and around the city, and also temples were crowded with couples, irrespective of married and those in love.

For K Harsha, an IT professional, from Bengaluru, the day was precious for having spent memorable moments with his fiancee, Srigandhini.

“I got engaged in October last and marriage is scheduled for April. This is our third meeting since we got engaged and I am very happy to be with her on this day,” said Harsha, who was found shopping at Mall of Mysore on MG Road. Harsha and Srigandhini also visited Chamundi Hill, to seek the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari.

The Karanji Lake Nature Park on Lalitha Mahal Road, saw more visitors with 2,100 entry tickets being sold during the day. Most of the entrants were couples with young denizens dominating the number of visitors. Similar, was the scene at parks in the city, with youth holding a bunch of roses in hand.

Hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and coffee shops too, tended to a good number of customers. “Usually, our coffee shop remains full during evening hours but, today, many are flocking since morning hours and business too is good,” said a waiter at a cafetaria in Kuvempunagar. B M Habitat Mall in Jayalakshmipuram too was crowded throughout the day. 

This V-Day, besides colourful greeting cards, personalised gift items were in great demand. Personalised gift items are new trend among youngsters. Valentines were asking for personalised gifts like coffee mugs with photographs, key chain with names, printed T-Shirts and greeting cards carrying messages, said a shopkeeper on Kalidasa Road. Soft toys, packed roses, balloons, chocolates and other gift articles too were in great demand, he added.

“Many youths were asking for colourful greeting cards. The cards are available in the range of Rs 60 and Rs 1,500. The sales were high on the eve, on Saturday,” said Veereshraje Urs, manager, Archies Gallery near Marimallappa’s Educational Institution on Sitavilas Road.