Subsidised tours a special offering for Dasara: CM Siddaramaiah

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday launched subsidised tour packages called ‘Puneetha Yatre’ for people of all religions. The packages, launched in association with the Tourism Department, will offer economical packages with 25 per cent subsidised rates.

Speaking after the launch, Siddaramaiah said that the programme will be released in two phases and a total of 1.38 lakh people are expected to make use of it.

In the first phase that was launched on Wednesday, packages to holy places of South Canara, Hoysala and Gomateshwara darshan, North Karnataka pilgrimage tour, pilgrimage places of south India, special darshan of Tirupati Balaji, Tirupati, Kalahasti special, famous temples of South India, Mantralaya darshan and Shirdi darshan were unveiled.

In the second phase that will be launched on October 15, the following packages will be offered: North Karnataka tour, visiting famous churches of Karnataka, visiting famous mosques of Karnataka, Dattatreya Chandralamba, Sannati Raghavendra and Saudatti Yellamma darshan, darshan of Basavanna holy places, Basadi special, Chikka Tirupathi and Kaivara darshan, Yelu Male and Nanjundeshwar darshan, Gumbaz and Bababudangiri special, Adi Chunchanagiri, Gokarna and Sirsi Marikamba darshan, Shirdi with five Jyotirlinga darshan, Ayyappa Swamy and Madurai Meenakshi darshan will be offered.

Siddaramaiah said the packages were a special offering to people for Dasara festival. “People of different faiths undertake tours to numerous destinations to pay homage to their sacred deities. ‘Puneetha Yatre’ will enable our people to visit most incredible religious sites revered for their temples, exquisite churches and mosques, and explore the fascinating architectural brilliance of these places” he said.
Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge said that  24 AC deluxe buses of KSTDC and KSRTC were being deployed for operating these tours.

“The tour packages are made available to the tourists at 25 per cent of subsidy over actual fare, which includes transport as well as the accommodation in good budget-class hotels. The tours are well curated and guided,” he added.Those who are interested in availing more information can visit www.kstdc.co or call : 080-43344334 / 8970650070.