Weekend rush: Homestays, temples to see double footfall across Karnataka’s hill stations
With Independence Day falling on a Saturday, homestays and hotels in Kodagu, Sakleshpur and Chikkamagaluru are in full demand. H.L. Giridhar, office-bearer, Chikkamagaluru Homestay Association
With Independence Day falling on a Saturday, homestays and hotels in Kodagu, Sakleshpur and Chikkamagaluru are in full demand. H.L. Giridhar, office-bearer, Chikkamagaluru Homestay Association, said, “Most homestays here are full and bookings were done a week ago. Every weekend, we received somewhere around 2,500 to 3,000 guests only across all homestays. This weekend, there are 6,000 to 8,000 guests. However, the prices have remained the same, ranging from ₹2,000 to 2,500 per night.” Ibrahim, another homestay owner maintaining a heritage property in Kodagu, said, “The homestay that I am currently running is fully booked.
Around 35 to 40 people can stay in our property. Usually, I had 20 to 25 people during weekends. But this weekend, it has gone up.” Gowtham, owner of a homestay in Sakleshpur, said, “My homestay is close to Bisle Ghat that is famous for its view point. This weekend, all the six rooms on our property are booked. People from Bengaluru and Kerala are coming to enjoy the nature here and ancient monuments like Manjarabad Fort, Shettihalli Church, Mallalli falls, etc.” B.R. Nagendraprasad, owner of a private hotel in Kodagu, said, “Raja seat is open now but the road close to it is getting repaired as Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is visiting Bhagamandala on August 16.
“Such infrastructure works should be carried out on priority basis to improve weekend tourism,” he said. Temple tourism fares well Meanwhile, a Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) official said that the bookings for their buses heading to Mysuru, Belur, Halebidu and Shravanabelagola are full. “There are separate packages for each trip. It is ₹950 for one day trip from Bengaluru to Mysuru where we take tourists around the city to show important places. Similarly, our two 35 seater buses to Belur, Halebidu and Shravanabelagola are also full. It is ₹850 for one day trip to these places,” the official said.
Another official from the Tourism Department said, “The footfall at various temples is double than the usual for the next two days. If on normal days, it is more than 25,000, the number of travellers will be around 50,000 to one lakh. Chamundi hills, Nanjangud, Somanathapura Male Mahadeshwara hills, Bhoga Nandishwara temple will see crowds and the Shakti free bus travel for women has contributed to this.”
The BriefWire