KSRTC to introduce Dasara special packages

Mangaluru: KSRTC Mangaluru division is set to launch its Dasara special packages for the third consecutive year, running from Oct 3 to 12 this year, and four special packages will be offered, catering to temple visits and sightseeing.
In the package, Temple Tour in Mangaluru, temples including Shri Mangaladevi Temple, Sunkadakatte Shri Ambika Annapoorneshwari Temple, Kateel Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple, Bappanadu Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple (lunch), Sasihithlu Shri Bhagavathi Temple and Beach, Chitrapura Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple, Shri Urva Mariyamma Temple (evening snacks), and Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple (Navadurga Darshan) will be covered.The trip will start at 8am from Mangaluru KSRTC bus stand and return at 8.30pm to Mangaluru bus stand. The cost is Rs 400 for adults, and Rs 300 for children (6-12 years).
The Mangaluru to Madikeri package will depart from Mangaluru KSRTC Bus Stand at 7am, and will cover Madikeri, Raja Seat, Abbey Falls (lunch ), Nisargadhama, and Golden Temple, returning to the bus stand by 9pm. The cost is Rs 500 for adults and Rs 400 for children. Meals are not included in this package, for which passengers will have to pay separately.
The third package is related to the Udupi Temple Tour, and the temples covered include Uchila Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, Kamashile Shri Bramhi Durgaparameshwari Temple (lunch), Kolluru Mookambika Temple, and Maranakatte Shri Bramhalingeshwara Temple. The trip will start at 8am from Mangaluru KSRTC bus stand, and return at 7pm to Mangaluru bus stand. The cost is Rs 500 for adults, and Rs 400 for children.
The Mangaluru to Murudeshwara and Kumbashi package has been introduced this Dasara. The places covered are Murudeshwara temple (lunch), Chandika Durgaparameshwari Temple Kumbashi, Anegudde Ganapathi Temple, and Uchila Mahalakshmi Temple. The bus will leave at 7am to return by 7pm. The cost is Rs 550 for adults and Rs 450 for children.
Rajesh Shetty, senior divisional controller of KSRTC Mangaluru division, said that all Dasara special packages will operate using non-AC Karnataka Sarige buses, with additional buses deployed based on demand. Every package will have one bus initially. In the first year, the Mangaluru temple tour saw the highest demand, with 22 trips made in a single day. Last year, the Kolluru and Madikeri packages were particularly popular, and this year, we hope to operate over 25 buses on at least one major route, although the exact route will be determined based on demand. "Many of our previous travellers requested new destinations, which led to the launch of the Murudeshwara package this year," said Shetty. Devotees will receive a special badge for special darshan, and dedicated lunch queues at the temples. Meanwhile, special local packages will also be introduced from Udupi and Kundapur depots. Bookings can be made online at www.ksrtc.in