A gold card priced Rs. 5,000 each will enable foreign tourists and important personalities coming for witnessing the famous Mysore Dasara celebrations from October 15 to 23 to have easy and free access to witness the various cultural and other programmes during the nine-day period.

The gold cards, mainly intended for foreign visitors coming to Mysore during the Dasara season, have been released and will be available for purchase both in Mysore and the State capital, Bangalore, at selected tourist centres including the Department of Tourism and the Karnataka State Toruism Development Corporation (KSTDC) offices.

Besides free admission to two persons to witness various programmes from an exclusive enclosure, the gold card will also help them get discounts ranging from 10 to 25 per cent at selected hotels, shops like jewellery and handicrafts, and restaurants. The gold card holders will have special seating facilities to witness the famous Vijaya Dasami procession on October 23 at the Mysore Palace premises and the torchlight parade to be followed that evening at the Banni Mantap
grounds. A few hotels at the hill stations of Ooty (Ootacamund in Tamil Nadu State) and Madikeri (Mercara) have also come forward to offer discount for those staying with them.

The transferable VIP cards also offer free access to the GRS Fantasy Park, a water sports attraction on the outskirts of the city, and for witnessing sports and adventure sports, specially being organized for the festival.

Last year, a sum of Rs. 36 lakh was realized from the sale of gold cards. This year, the Government proposes to raise Rs. 50 lakh, which will be utilized for the celebrations.