About 300 people participated in the Heritage Walk held on Wednesday, organised by the Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage as part of Dasara. The walkers tried to soak in local history and get an insight into the heritage buildings of Mysuru. The starting point was Town Hall, from where the guided tour reached the Clock Tower, before proceeding to Chamaraja Circle. The other structures covered were K.R. Circle, Dufferin Clock Tower, Devaraja Market, and K.R. Hospital, before the tour ended at the Medical College.
N.S. Rangaraju, retired professor of Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Mysore, and other resource persons gave an insight into the various aspects of the heritage structures. The participants included students from educational institutions, residents and a few tourists. Dr. Rangaraju said the heritage walk would be held on Thursday as well, in which members of the Builders Association of India have agreed to join. The trainees of the Administrative Training Institute will participate in the walk on Saturday. A heritage cycling event will be held on Friday, which will commence from Town Hall and cover Chamaraja Circle, K.R. Circle, Jaganmohan Palace, Crawford Hall, the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, and the railway station and terminate at the Medical College.
Though the concept was introduced 10 years ago, it has not been popularised to rope in tourists. Prof. Rangaraju said efforts were being made through the hotel industry to promote the concept, but response was muted. “But for a handful of international tourists, there were hardly any takers for it,” he added.
Similar guided walking tours of Melukote and Srirangapatana are being planned.
