Additional entry points to ease access to Mysuru Palace

The Mysuru Palace Board has solved at least three problems faced by tourists, by opening two additional entry points, with ticket counters.

It is over a year, when the entry points were opened at the Amba Vilas Gate on the south and Balarama Gate to the north of the Palace, along with the earlier Varaha Gate, also in the south, in August 2017.

As the footfall gets distributed among three gates now, the density of vehicular traffic and also parking of vehicles is eased. However, at least 60% of the tourists still flock to the earlier or the first, entry point of the Varaha Gate. ‘’The entry of tourists has become convenient, with fewer hassles, especially during vacations and festival holidays. This Dasara, more number of people are expected as the government has taken up huge publicity initiatives. So, people can choose the entry point to suit their convenience,” said Deputy Director of the board T S Subramanya.

“As the tourists get distributed among three gates, there is no overcrowding. Besides, the opening of additional gates has reduced fleecing of tourists by cheats, who used to pose as guides. Such cheats would approach tourist vehicles, especially those with other state registration, making enquiries or just parking near the gates of the Palace.

They would misguide the tourists, instead of guiding them to the Varaha Gate to gain entry. They would take the tourists ‘for a ride’ around the city, before reaching the Varaha Gate and would fleece the tourists,” he said.

However, more publicity is needed about the availability of three entry points, with ticket counters, for tourists, especially during tourist seasons such as Dasara.

“The average number of visitors per day increases to over 15,000 during summer vacation, Christmas and mid-term holidays. During normal weekends and festival holidays, the average footfall is over 5,000. On a regular working day, 1,000 to 3,000 visit the Palace. The tourist footfall peaks to nearly a lakh, during the nine-day Dasara festivities. Besides, an equal number of tourists enter the Palace premises, without buying tickets, as they do not go into the Palace,” said Vinod, assistant engineer of the board.

The numbers also do not include the tourists who flock to see the illumination of the Palace on weekends and holidays.