The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Mangaluru Division announced five special Dasara one-day tour packages for devotees and tourists to visit some of the most celebrated temples and tourist spots in coastal Karnataka and the vicinity of Malnad during the Navaratri festival. The special services will be available for all on October 11 to October 20 for a single day trip to a number of popular temples and tourist places in Malnad.
The special packages were introduced in view of the increasing number of devotees and tourists who are expected to travel during the Dasara season. The Mangaluru Division said that passengers can make reservations via the official KSRTC online booking platform. The packages are available for different places such as temples across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi and pilgrimage centers like Talacauvery, Kollur, Sigandur, and Sringeri.
One of the many unique features of the packages is the Mangaluru Dasara Navadurga Darshan package. The bus will leave from Mangaluru bus stand at 8 am and return to Mangaluru at 8:30 pm. The tour will cover some of the great temples like Surya Narayana Temple at Maroli, Mariyamma Temple at Bolara, Mangaladevi Temple, Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple, Kodiyadka Annapoorneshwari Temple at Hosannadu, Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple, Bappanadu Durgaparameshwari Temple, Sasihithlu Bhagavathi Temple, Chitrapura Durgaparameshwari Temple, Urwa Mariyamma Temple, and Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple. The ticket is Rs 500 for adults and Rs 400 for children aged 6 to 12 years.
The second option is the Mangaluru-Talacauvery-Bhagamandala package, which is for devotees that want to visit important religious places in Kodagu. The bus will leave Mangaluru at 7 am and return by 9:30 pm. The itinerary is Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple, Talacauvery Temple, Bhagamandala Bhagandeshwara Temple, Triveni Sangama, Abbey Falls, and Raja's Seat in Madikeri. The ticket price is Rs 600 for adults and Rs 500 for children.
Such a special service will take passengers from Mangaluru to Kollur. The Mangaluru-Kollur Kshetra Darshan package will start at 8 am and will return at around 8 pm. Passengers will be able to visit Uchila Mahalakshmi Temple, Kapu Mariyamma Temple, Mandarthi Durgaparameshwari Temple, Kamalashile Brahmi Durgaparameshwari Temple, the famous Kollur Mookambika Temple, and Maranakatte Brahmalingeshwara Temple. The fare has been set at Rs 600 for adults and Rs 500 for children.
The fourth package will take visitors from Mangaluru to Sigandur. The Mangaluru-Sigandur Kshetra Darshan service will leave at 7 am and return around 7:30 pm. The itinerary includes Kundapura, Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple, and Kollur Mookambika Temple. The adult ticket will be Rs 700 and the child fare is Rs 600.
The fifth option is the Mangaluru-Sringeri Dasara package, where we can visit several important religious places in the Malnad region. The bus leaves Mangaluru at 8 am and returns at 7:30 pm. The tour will include Kodiyadka Annapoorneshwari Temple, Sringeri Sharadamba Temple, Hariharapura Math, and Rishyasringeshwara Temple in Kigga. The prices are Rs 600 for adults and Rs 500 for children.
Families, devotees, and tourists who want to visit many places without travelling on their own are likely to benefit from these services. Since this Dasara season is very big and temple and tourist places are very busy, there is a set departure and return time from these packages.
The special tours are available for advance reservations on the official KSRTC website. Passengers can contact the Mangaluru advance booking counter at 9663211553 for further information and booking services. The Mangaluru Unit-1 Manager is at 7760990713 and the Unit-3 Manager is at 7760990723. The Mangaluru bus stand enquiry number is 7760990720. The divisional office can be reached at 7760990711 or 9663266221.
With the special services operating from October 11 to October 20, KSRTC Mangaluru Division's Dasara packages are likely to bring devotees and tourists easier access to some of the best temple places and beautiful locations in Karnataka during the festive period.
