Ahead of Mahamastakabhisheka, house rents go through the roof

Ahead of the Mahamastakabhisheka, scheduled to be held in February 2018 here, the rent of houses in the region has witnessed a steep hike.

Lakhs of devotees visit Shravanabelagola during the Mahamastakabhisheka for the statue of Gommateshwara held once in 12 years. The second Mahamastakabhisheka of the century will be conducted from February 7 to 26, 2018.

As devotees from various parts of the world visit the area to take part in the celebration, house owners have hiked rents. There is a great demand for houses with good amenities. A majority of the houses near Gomatanagar are available for rent and owners have displayed boards. One such area that has seen a steep hike in rents is near the Jain Mutt in Shravanabelagola where rentals have been increased to Rs 75,000 from Rs 2,000. S J Upadyaya, a tenant, said that since his house owner increased the rent he was forced to shift to another house for Rs 5,000.

A tourist from a neighbouring state has reserved a house near the temporary satellite town at Hosahalli which will set him back by Rs 1.50 lakh per month. The two-room house is furnished and has parking space.

Similarly, the demand and the rent has increased for houses in neighbouring villages. The rentals for houses in Nagaianakoppal, Hosahalli, Sundahalli, Manjunathapur, Aruvanahalli, Kottanaghatta, Rachenahalli, and Kantharajapur has increased to Rs 6,000 from Rs 700 a month. Rented houses are also in great demand in Channarayapatna, a town 12 km away from Shravanabelagola. Even houses with sheet roofs, in which five people can stay, costs between Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000.

Brokers Ramesh and Jnanesh said that the owners get an opportunity once in 12 years and the demand for houses with furniture and modern facilities are in good demand.

Kumar, a house owner, said that he has fixed a rent of Rs 50,000 for his house and the house is already reserved.