Food Outshines Books at Mysuru Dasara Fest

The Mysuru Dasara festival is witnessing a stark contrast in visitor engagement, with the food mela at Maharaja's College Grounds becoming a major attraction, while the book fair at Bharat Scouts and Guides Grounds faces a significant lack of interest. Crowds consistently gather at the food stalls from morning until late evening, drawn by familiar culinary offerings despite premium pricing. Items like jowar roti meals and tender coconut juice are notably more expensive than their usual market rates. Stall owners attribute these higher costs to increased raw material and rental expenses.

Conversely, the book fair is experiencing a considerable dip in footfall. Events held at the fair have attracted very few attendees, and booksellers report that demand is largely confined to works by well-known Kannada authors. While some publishers note a gradual improvement in business, particularly for established names and government publications, there's a suggestion to organize literary programs to draw more visitors. Currently, food remains the dominant draw at the festival, overshadowing literary pursuits.