Online booking mandatory for visiting Mullayyanagiri, Bababudangiri from Sept 1

The district administration has introduced the booking system primarily to regulate tourist inflow.

Chikkamagaluru: Tourists heading to Mullayyanagiri and Bababudangiri will now have to make an online booking in advance, as the new system will come into effect from September 1.

The Chandradrona hilly range, which includes Mullayyanagiri, Seethalayyanagiri, Shri Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swami Dargah, and the Manikyadhara waterfalls, has been witnessing a surge in visitors, often leading to overcrowding at these destinations.

To regulate tourist inflow, the district administration has introduced the booking system.

Bookings can be made through the official district website https://chikkamagaluru.nic.in/en/tourism

Visitors will have to pay a fee of Rs 50 for bikes, Rs 100 for cars, Rs 150 for motor vehicles, and Rs 200 for Tempo Travellers, along with selecting the preferred date and time slot.

Two visiting slots have been fixed daily — from 6 am to 12 noon, and from 1 pm to 6 pm. Each slot will allow entry for 600 vehicles, with priority given to those who have booked in advance, the Tourism Department said in a release.