Thousands stayed away from the Mysuru Dasara festival over the Cauvery waters issue.
Highlights
- "There are fewer people because of the Cauvery issue," said Siddaramaiah
- Hotels said they lost business to the tune of 30% to 40% in September
- Many hope for visitors to boost income at this time of year
Dasara -- the state festival of Karnataka and the biggest celebration in Mysuru -- has come and gone. But while people turned up in thousands, business was not as good. But thousands more stayed away, concerned after the recent protests in the region over the sharing of Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu.
Admitting that the footfall has shrunk, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told NDTV: "The festival had to go on, it is our state festival. But there are fewer people because of the Cauvery issue."
Hotels said they had lost business to the tune of 30% to 40% in September, when protests were at their peak. The occupancy picked up only before Dasara. Other businesses, too, reflected that mood.
Waseem, a shopkeeper who sells garments, said: "Tourist flow was less this year compared to the last because of the Cauvery issue. There were even less foreigners this time."
Minhaj, whose shop is close to the Mysuru palace, said: "Usually there is more business at Dasara time."
Many in Mysuru hope for visitors for a boost in income at this time of year. An auto driver, Mallesh, said, "It was very dull. We have only started getting business from yesterday."