1L lakhpassengers, Rs 5.7-crore revenue: Divya Darshan drives devotion in Bengaluru | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: Every weekend, Bengaluru transforms into a hub for spiritual exploration as thousands of devotees seek convenient ways to visit the city’s temples. To meet this demand, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) launched the one-day Divya Darshan tour in March 2024, offering families a hassle-free and well-organised way to cover multiple temples and spiritual centres in a single day. With air-conditioned buses, scheduled departures on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, and carefully planned routes across the city, the service blends devotion with comfort while encouraging more people to explore Bengaluru’s spiritual landscape.The tour begins at Kempegowda bus station at 8.30am and concludes by 6pm. It covers several prominent temples and spiritual centres, including Sri Gali Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple, Shrungagiri Sri Shanmukha Swamy Temple, Sri Devi Karumariamma Temple, Omkar Hills Temple, Iskcon Vaikunta Hill Temple, the Art of Living Foundation and Banashankari temple. Ticket fares are Rs 450 for adults and Rs 350 for children. Since its launch on March 8, 2024, Divya Darshan services operated by BMTC central zone ferried 1.1 lakh passengers across 3,165 trips, covering 454km and generating Rs 5.7 crore in revenue. Among all routes, DD4 saw the highest ridership after the first service, with over 14,000 passengers using it. The service covers about 175km and operated 551 trips so far, covering prominent temples in the city like Gali Anjaneya, Iskcon, Banashankari temple, and others. Commuters say it is a great way to spend the weekend and suitable for all weekends. Vasanthi Sadashiv, 70, a resident of Sahakar Nagar near Kodigehalli, said, “I find these tours very convenient and truly enjoy visiting the temples, as the arrangements and infrastructure are excellent. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore spiritual sites without worrying about travel hassles. The timing and schedule make it ideal for weekend trips, and it’s a perfect way to spend quality time with my sister. I look forward to joining more such tours with friends in the coming weekends.”BMTC officials said the services became a popular choice for devotees and families seeking a convenient and organised way to explore Bengaluru’s temples and spiritual centres in a single day. The weekend schedule and AC comfort were major draws, and plans are under way to expand the one-day packages to cover additional destinations in and around the city.A BMTC spokesperson said: “The response has been very good. This is an innovative step in city public transport, and because of the overwhelming interest, the corporation is planning to extend services to nearby temples around Bengaluru, like those in Chikkaballapur, to give people more options.” Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy, who also holds Hindu religious institutions and charitable endowments portfolio, said: “The service has helped thousands of families spend time together while visiting multiple temples within the city and on the outskirts. We have also covered temples of historical significance, and the initiative has been well-received by the public.”