Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has transferred its prominent Tirupati guesthouse from the muzrai department to the tourism department as part of efforts to professionalise operations and improve services for the growing number of pilgrims visiting the Andhra Pradesh temple town.
Professional Management for Better Services
Tourism secretary Trilok Chandra told TOI that Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) will soon invite separate tenders for lodging and kitchen operations at the facility. "KSTDC will soon invite separate tenders for lodging and kitchen operations at the facility, shifting towards specialised management," he said.
Officials said the move comes amid a steady rise in pilgrim travel from Karnataka to Tirupati, driven partly by the state's free bus travel scheme for women. Officials expect the scheme to continue boosting visitor numbers through Karnataka's public transport network.
Impact on Tourism Packages
While tourism officials hope the transfer will improve hospitality standards, organised Tirupati tourism packages have taken a hit after Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) stopped preferential darshan access earlier extended to package tourists. "The tourist circuit numbers have come down after VIP darshan access was stopped. We are planning to write to TTD on the issue," Chandra said.
Broader Push for Temple Accommodation
The transfer is also part of a wider push to use tourism expertise in managing temple accommodation facilities, while the muzrai department focuses on developing smaller pilgrimage centres across Karnataka to spread tourist traffic and support local economies. Muzrai department data showed a sharp expansion in temple accommodation facilities in recent years. The number of rooms increased from 511 across three temple institutions in 2023-24 to 1,270 across 12 temple institutions in 2024-25, with major additions at Kollur Mookambika Temple and Renuka Yallamma Temple. The expansion has also boosted revenues. Accommodation earnings rose from Rs 14.1 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 24.5 crore in 2024-25 and further to Rs 31.18 crore in 2025-26, marking a growth of over 120% in two years.
Rajender Kumar Kataria, additional chief secretary, department of revenue (muzrai), said, "The increase has been driven by the introduction of online room booking systems, digital payment options, improved transparency and stronger online visibility."
