KSRTC introduces special Dasara package tours

MYSURU: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has introduced special packages under which tourists visiting Mysuru will have to pay just Re1 per km to visit forests, hills or waterfalls during the Dasara season.

The KSRTC rural division's package tours — Giri Darshini, Jala Darshini and Deva Darshini — will operate from October 18 to November 1.

Those opting for Giri Darshini will be taken on a one-day tour to five hills — Bandipura forest, Gopalaswamy Betta, Biligiri Rangana Betta, Nanjangud and Chamundi Hill.

Under Jala Darshini, tourists will visit Golden Temple in Bylakuppe, Dubare Elephant Camp, Cauvery Nisargadhama, Abbey falls, Raja Seat and Harangi Dam.

The third package, Deva Darshini, involves visit to six ancient temples - Nanjundeshwara temple in Nanjangud, Panchalinga temples and Cauvery river in Talakadu, Mallikharjuna temple at Mudukutore, Chennakeshwava temple and others in Somanathapura and Sri Ranganatha temple in Srirangapatna taluk.

KSRTC Mysuru rural divisional traffic officer Basavaraju said tourists can travel to various places at cheaper rate. "Public can book seats through www.ksrtc.in or by visiting 15 KSRTC reservation centres in Mysuru town or the KSRTC bus stand reservation centre," he added.

KSRTC divisional controller M Mahesh told TOI that 175 buses have been introduced for the Dasara festival. "Dasara buses will be deputed for package tours. The buses will take tourists to the tourism places and provide them enough time to enjoy each place," he said.

Package fare

Giri Darshini (325km in a day): Rs 350 for adults and Rs 175 for children

Jala Darshini (350km in a day): Rs 375 for adults and Rs 190 for children

Deva Darshini (250km in day): Rs 275 for adults and Rs 140 for children

Hop on, hop off

Like the rural division, KSRTC's city division has also introduced 'Hop On, Hop Off' service in Mysuru during Dasara. Tourists can buy a bus pass and travel to 15 tourism places in the city like Chamundi Hill, Mysuru Zoo, Kukkarahalli Lake, Mysuru Palace and others places, in a day. Buses have also been deployed to Uttarahalli temple and Nandi temple in Chamundi Hill.