Mysuru is seeing a sharp increase in tourist arrivals and visitor activity ahead of this year’s Dasara celebrations, with early crowds at major attractions, traffic congestion around the palace area and rising demand for hotel rooms. The festival is scheduled from October 11 to 21.
The city’s decorative lighting, one of the main attractions during Dasara, will be formally switched on on the evening of October 11. However, trial lighting has already been activated at several important roads and junctions, drawing residents and tourists who are visiting the city to view the displays and record videos.
According to Prajavani, crowds are being reported around K.R. Circle, the roads and junctions near Amba Vilas Palace, Albert Victor Road, 100 Feet Road, Sayyaji Rao Road, the road opposite the Zilla Panchayat office and Hunsur Road. Traffic congestion has also been observed on several of these routes.
Visitors are additionally gathering to watch the Dasara elephant troop train as it moves along the designated route from the palace precincts towards Bannimantap. Many are taking photographs and recording videos of the training sessions. The festival atmosphere has been amplified by the circulation of Dasara-related reels on social media.
Tourist numbers have also increased at Amba Vilas Palace, the Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens and Chamundi Hill. The rise in footfall is contributing to heavier business at hotels, restaurants and messes serving Mysuru specialities such as Mysuru pak, dosa varieties and biryani.
With demand for accommodation increasing, hotel room rents have risen, the report said. Rates are expected to increase further during the main Dasara period and as the Vijayadashami procession approaches. The early visitor surge comes as some schools and colleges have already begun their Dasara holidays.
