The number of people visiting tourist spots of Sakleshpur has been on the rise, following the rains this month.
Manjrabad Fort on Bengaluru-Mangaluru Highway near Sakleshpur, Mukanamane Falls near Attihalli in Hettur hobli, Bisale beauty spot and Majagalli Falls near Hanubalu have been attracting a good number of tourists.
The taluk, located close to the Western Ghats, received moderate to heavy rainfall this month. “These places attract tourists only during rainfall. Who will visit Mukanamane or Majagalli Falls during the summer? For the last week, after the rains receded, many have been visiting these places,” said Ravi, a resident of Hettur in Sakleshpur taluk.
Shiradi Ghat
Bisale is located amidst the Western Ghats. Manjarabad Fort is a favourite spot for lensmen in the rainy season. On Thursday alone, there were at least 100 visitors at the fort. “The number of people visiting the fort would have been more by now if the road improvement work on Shiradi Ghat was completed,” said Abdul Rahman, who runs an eatery near the fort. The Shiradi Ghat stretch of the NH 75 has been closed for the road work.
At present, the people visiting these places are by and large residents of Hassan and Chikkamagaluru districts. “Once people in other places get to know that Mukanamane Falls and Majagalli Falls are in full flow, they will also start visiting,” said Prakash V., a resident of Hassan, who visited the places along with his family recently.
Once the road to Mangaluru via Shiradi Ghat is opened, the number of visitors to the tourist spots in the taluk is expected to go up substantially. Homestays, hotels, resorts, which had no good business since the Shiradi Ghat stretch was closed for roadwork, are expecting a good turnout once the road is opened.
H.D. Revanna, Minister for Public Works, recently told journalists in Hassan that the work was delayed due to heavy rains, but would be completed by the first week of July.