JOIN USExtended weekend draws tourists to heritage city
The major tourist attractions of the city, Mysuru Palace and Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, drew hordes of tourists this weekend, but lack of dormitories and exorbitant hotel tariff have left a large number of tourists disappointed.
Thousands of tourists visit the city on weekends, it almost doubles during the extended weekends. With Varamahalakshmi festival falling on Friday August 12, followed by second Saturday (August 13), Sunday (August 14) and Monday being the Independence Day ( August 15), people from various parts of Karnataka and the neighbouring states are in the city to catch a glimpse of historical monuments and picnic spots in and around the city.
Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, popularly known as Mysuru Zoo, had recorded a footfall of 14,162 on August 13. The sources in Mysuru Zoo said, 12,578 adults (89 per cent) and 1,584 children (11 per cent) visited the zoo on second Saturday.
Free entry for children
As is the norm every year, the entry for the children, aged below 12 years, to the zoo will be free on Independence Day. Timings for free entry to the zoo will be between 8.30 am and 1 pm. However, teachers and parents, accompanying the children, have been requested to purchase ticket at the main counter.
Mysuru Palace (Amba Vilas Palace) also saw a footfall of 9,000, including 200 foreigners, on Saturday. The numbers were much higher than the usual weekend rush in almost all the places.
Devotees also made a beeline to Chamundi Hill, to seek blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari. Tourists also visited Jaganmohan Palace and other places surrounding city and Srirangapatna.
Exorbitant rates
The tourists complain that overnight stay at a decent hotel has turned out very expensive in the city, which has over 180 hotels. There are a few hotels that charge Rs 250 per day, but such hotels are far and few. Hence, tourists coming from North Karnataka and other places have no information about these hotels due to lack of publicity.
Though many from the upper class do not mind to shell out a few thousands for accommodation during the vacation, it is the middle class people who are affected. As there are no dormitory facilities available, majority of the tourists, who come in groups prefer Nanjangud, Suttur and Srirangapatna where such facilities are available for a night stay, it is said.