About 25 lakh tourists witnessed Dasara festivities

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Mysore, Oct 23 (UNI) The world famous Mysore Dasara Festivities this year witnessed a huge increase in the number of tourists to the city of Palaces during the ten-day grand event that ended on October 21.

As against 22 lakh visitors last year, this year the number was more than 25 lakh and there was a record increase in ticket collections at important tourist spots, including the famous Mysore Palace, century old Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens and pilgrimage centre Chamundi Hills.

However, there could have been a further increase if had it not been for the 300 per cent increase in vehicle entry tax for vehicles from outside the state, imposed by the state government, tourist operators felt.

The entry tax for a 50 seater bus had been increased from Rs 5,900 to Rs 16,500, forcing tourists from Kerala and Tamil Nadu to opt for other tourist destinations.

The Palace Board sources told UNI that nearly 1.4 lakh people visited the Mysore Palace, which had already attained the status the of most popular tourist spot in the country after the Taj Mahal. The total collection from the sale of tickets was Rs 22.16 lakh as against Rs 19.9 lakh collected last year with the visit of 1.3 lakh visitors.

More than 3.5 lakh pilgrims visited Chamundi Hills to offer pooja to Chamundeswari, the principal deity of the city.

Mysore Zoo attracted 1.58 lakh animal lovers and the collection during the ten-day festivities was Rs 39.18 lakh. Last year about 1.04 lakh people had visited and the earning was Rs 25.19 lakh. The Zoo authorities also felt that the number of visitors would have been more if there was no increase in entry tax for tourist vehicles.

UNI

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X