Mysuru Palace to get two more entry points, online ticket system

Long queues to purchase tickets to enter the Mysuru Palace will soon be a thing of the past as the Mysuru Palace Board is all set to open two additional ticket counters and online ticket system to cater to the ever-increasing footfall of visitors here. The entry to the Palace was restricted to one counter but with the two new entry points, visitors will gain easy axis.

The new ticket counters will be opened at Jayarama and Balarama Gate near Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple and Amba Vilas Gate near Cauvery Area Development Authority (CADA) office. Till now, tourists were allowed entry to the Palace only from Varaha Gate, opposite the Dasara Exhibition grounds.

PWD and District in-charge Minister H C Mahadevappa will launch the counters, online ticketing and upgraded website of Mysuru Palace on August 17.

According to sources, the initiative is being taken up for the convenience of visitors. Mysuru Palace receives a large number of visitors during vacations and long weekends. It becomes inevitable for tourists to stand in long queues to purchase tickets. The initiative also helps in preventing harassment by hawkers near the counters. Due to lack of information, tourists find it difficult to reach ticket counters at Varaha gate and are invariably fleeced by a few autorickshaw drivers.

Online bookings
The Palace receives about 3.5 million tourists every year but the entry to the palace is from only one gate. The additional counters make it easy for tourists and also saves time. The tickets will be available online and the visitors can buy them using credit or debit card and e-transactions. Online tickets can be booked by visiting the Palace website once it is officially launched on August 17.

Tourist Pramod, who is a regular visitor to the Palace, said that it is a good initiative as visitors can enter the palace without waiting for a long time. However, the authorities must ensure that the website functions round-the-clock. He said that as the Palace receives a good number of tourists all year round, most book tickets online and thus the chances of a server problem could be envisaged.

The website also provides an opportunity for a virtual tour of the Palace in 360 degree angle.