Mysuru: Tourists visiting Mysuru for the state’s Nada Habba Dasara celebrations are facing higher accommodation costs as hotels increase room tariffs amid a surge in festive demand. Advance bookings have risen sharply, particularly for the days leading up to Vijayadashami and the grand Jamboo Savari procession scheduled for October 21.

With the festival attracting visitors from across Karnataka and other parts of the country, hotels in the heritage city are witnessing strong demand. Several establishments in central Mysuru have already booked a significant portion of their rooms, while some hotels located along the procession route are charging considerably more for rooms offering a direct view of the festivities.

The annual Mysuru Dasara celebrations were inaugurated on October 11 atop Chamundi Hill in the presence of the chief minister, seers from various mutts, ministers, political leaders and other dignitaries.

Hotel bookings rise ahead of Vijayadashami

According to C Narayana Gowda, president of the Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association, hotels have recorded bookings for a substantial share of their rooms for the days immediately following the inauguration.

He said around 70% of rooms had been booked for the next four days, with occupancy expected to reach 100% between October 18 and 21 as more tourists arrive for the culmination of the Dasara festivities.

Mysuru has around 18,500 rooms across hotels, homestays and service apartments in the city and surrounding areas. There are more than 420 hotels in the city, and approximately 70% of their rooms have reportedly been booked in advance.

Gowda indicated that accommodation would become increasingly difficult to find as the festival approached its final days. He said rooms could become unavailable by October 18 if the current booking trend continued.

The final availability of rooms and the tariffs charged by individual establishments will depend on demand during the festival period.

Some hotels double tariffs for procession views

Hotels situated along Sayyaji Rao Road, which offers opportunities to watch the Vijayadashami procession, have emerged as particularly sought-after options for visitors.

Some establishments in the area have reportedly doubled their room tariffs during the festive period. Their location allows guests to view the procession from the vicinity of the hotel, while certain establishments also arrange seating for visitors to watch the celebrations.

The area is also within walking distance of Bannimantap, where the traditional torchlight parade and drone show are held, making it attractive to tourists planning to attend multiple events.

For visitors, the opportunity to watch the procession without having to find a separate viewing location is a major consideration when choosing accommodation. However, this convenience comes at a higher cost during the festival rush.

Hoteliers plan 20–25% tariff hike

The Hotel Owners’ Association has indicated that room tariffs will be increased by around 20% to 25% during the final four days of Dasara.

Gowda said hoteliers had decided to revise prices during the peak period, drawing a comparison with the increase in fares for Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses during the festival.

The proposed tariff increase is expected to coincide with the arrival of larger numbers of tourists for Vijayadashami, which marks the grand finale of the celebrations.

However, the reported increases vary by establishment. While the association has indicated a planned hike of 20% to 25% for the final four days, some hotels along the procession route have reportedly doubled their tariffs.

Visitors planning to travel to Mysuru are therefore likely to face different accommodation rates depending on the location, facilities and proximity to major Dasara events.

Dasara attractions draw tourists to heritage city

Although the Jamboo Savari procession will take place on October 21, several events scheduled throughout the festival have already begun attracting tourists.

The horticultural flower show, Dasara exhibition, Ahara Mela and Yuva Dasara are among the attractions drawing visitors. The illumination of Mysuru’s streets and prominent locations has also contributed to the festive atmosphere.

The celebrations extend beyond the main procession, encouraging tourists to spend several days in the city to experience its cultural programmes, food fairs and illuminated landmarks.

The concentration of events across different locations has increased demand for accommodation, particularly for visitors seeking to attend the major programmes towards the end of the festival.

Heavy traffic adds to visitors’ challenges

The increase in tourist arrivals has also contributed to congestion on Mysuru’s roads.

Traffic was reported to be heavy on Sunday, the first day of the celebrations, and again on Monday, with vehicles crowding several roads and traffic police working to manage the flow.

Residents have also reported delays while travelling within the city. Swaminathan, a resident of Kalyanagiri, said it took him nearly an hour to reach Gokulam, highlighting the difficulties caused by the increased traffic.

The congestion has affected routine travel for local residents, with journeys taking longer than usual as visitors move between accommodation facilities and festival venues.

With the main Vijayadashami procession still ahead, the combination of higher hotel tariffs, advance bookings and traffic congestion is expected to remain a concern for tourists and residents during the peak Dasara period.

Visitors intending to attend the final celebrations may benefit from booking accommodation early and checking the applicable tariffs and cancellation conditions before confirming their stay.