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Pahalgam terror attack: Six in 10 families cancel travel plans to Kashmir, finds survey

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Shikara owners at Dal Lake in Srinagar protest against the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, southern Kashmir.

Shikara owners at Dal Lake in Srinagar protest against the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, southern Kashmir.
| Photo Credit: IMRAN NISSAR

The terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, has cast a shadow over Kashmir’s booming tourism industry. A new nationwide survey reveals that six out of 10 families with travel plans to the valley this year have decided to cancel their bookings following the attack.

The survey respondents represented a cross-section of urban and rural India: 41% were from Tier-1 cities, 28% from Tier-2 towns, and 31% from smaller districts and rural areas. Around 63% of the participants were men, while 37% were women.

Pahalgam terror attack updates April 24, 2025

62% of 6,807 respondents decided to cancel their vacations

The survey conducted by community social media platform LocalCircles among over 21,000 citizens across 361 districts across India, paints a grim picture. Among 6,807 respondents who had planned trips to Kashmir between May and December this year, 62% have already decided to cancel their vacations. Only 38% said they would go ahead with their travel plans, the survey revealed.

Looking beyond 2025, the survey asked 14,430 participants about the likelihood of visiting Kashmir within the next three years. Just 29% said they were still open to visiting, while another 33% said their decision would depend on how effectively the government addresses safety concerns. About 21% categorically ruled out a trip, and 9% said Kashmir was never on their travel list.

The travel industry fears not just an immediate slump, but a long-term dip in travel confidence. While some stakeholders hope government intervention might cushion the blow, especially concerning religious tourism, anxiety remains high.

This disruption comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir was experiencing an unprecedented tourism boom. According to the State’s Economic Survey for 2024-25, the region recorded a historic high of 2.36 crore visitors in 2024. Among them were 65,452 international tourists, 5.12 lakh pilgrims who participated in the Amarnath Yatra, and 94.56 lakh devotees who visited the Vaishno Devi temple.

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Boating launched in Sanna Kere in Yadgir

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Visitors taking a boat ride after the launch of the service at Sanna Kere in Lumbini Garden of Yadgir on Monday.

Visitors taking a boat ride after the launch of the service at Sanna Kere in Lumbini Garden of Yadgir on Monday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The district administration, the Zilla Panchayat, the Tourism Department and Bengaluru-based Vinyog Ventures Private Limited have jointly launched boating facility at Sanna Kere, located in Lumbini Garden in Yadgir city.

MLA Channareddy Patil Tunnur inaugurated the facility on Monday.

“There are four types of water boat facilities in which visitors can travel. One each of kayaking, bumping, general and rafting boats are available for visitors. Visitors of all ages will find something to their liking,” Mr. Tunnur said.

Yadgir CMC Chairperson Lalita Anapur has said that it was the dream of citizens to travel in boats. “The dream has come true. The citizens should make use of the facility,” she said.

Assistant Director in the Tourism Department Ramachandra said that a tender will be floated to develop boat facilities in Mavinakere at Shahapur, Ibrahimpur Kere, Narayanpur Reservoir and Minaspur Kere.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Sharanabasappa Koteppagol was among those who participated in the inauguration ceremony.

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This Pride month we talk to tour groups that curate travels and experiences for the LGBTQ+ community

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This Pride month we talk to tour groups that curate travels and experiences for the LGBTQ+ community

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Sunrise in Siruvani: A peek into Tamil culture and Kongunadu cuisine

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The property is surrounded by lush greenery

The property is surrounded by lush greenery
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The picturesque Western Ghats bathed in pastel pink hues at twilight, and an absolute calm form our first impression of Dvara Siruvani. Before we get to the property, which is an hour’s drive from the city, we stop by for a satisfying lunch at Rasanai with Kongu kozhi thanni rasam, a fiery chicken soup, followed by a line-up of chicken biryani, and the impressive Sivaji Nagar military hotel mutton chops, rounded off with mango pudding for dessert.

Western Ghats bathed in pastel pink hues. Shot on oneplus #frames of India

Western Ghats bathed in pastel pink hues. Shot on oneplus #frames of India
| Photo Credit:
K Jeshi

Once at Dvara, I sip my welcome drink and watch the mighty hills and the forests take on a many colours. There are 16 cottages that include mountain view, private infinity pools and garden view. Each cottage is named after native flowers likekonrai, vaagai, parijatham to name a few. I bow down to enter my cottage named Kurunji through an artistically carved door that once graced a Chettiar home in Karaikudi. Short in stature, such doors encouraged the tradition of bowing while entering a home to show its inhabitants respect and humility. A private garden opens into stunning views of the Western Ghats and copious waters of the Noyyal flowing into the Mundanthurai check dam. Heirloom furniture including a wooden poster bed, Tanjore glass paintings and aesthetic artefacts compliment the interiors. An infinity plunge pool adds to the luxury. 

 “The property was a bit of an accident,” recalls Vikram Mohan, chairman of Pricol group that runs Dvara. “The property evolved from a desiliting project to an outbound training centre with tents. Later, my wife Lakshmi and I developed Dvara as a labour of love. We both are collectors of South Indian antiquities for many years, from old Kanjivaram saris and Ravi Varma prints to old vengalapitalapathram, kadarams, thengaithuruvis and kavadis. Our bed runners feature paaavadai davani designs in multiple colours. Lakshmi’s collection of her grandmother’s saris became the beds’ backdrop. We celebrate all things South Indian, Tamil heritage and conceptualised the property as a throwback to visiting homes in villages complete with Kongunadu samayal.”

Every corner at the property unravels cultural memorabilia. Old utensils, South Indian antique artefacts, Tanjore paintings and enamelware peek through the common areas that have an old world charm. An antique chest at the reception is stunning.

 An infinity plunge pool adds to the luxury. Shot on oneplus #frames of India

 An infinity plunge pool adds to the luxury. Shot on oneplus #frames of India
| Photo Credit:
K Jeshi

 “Some of the urulis displayed bear the cross on them indicating that they have been used in Christian households to make payasam. We added details like ergonomically designed thinnai, oonjal, and vilakkumaadam to replicate village life. While the doors tell stories of humility and a method of self-defence, the AshtaMangalam mural is indicative of qualities one needs to have to lead a good quality life. There is abundant greenery and the entire landscaping credit goes to my wife. We added Pollachi rekla vandi, and terracotta horses (crafted by a potter from Tirunelveli) to the garden decor. It’s more like a virunthombal experience.”

At dinner time, Chef Arul and his team lay out fluffy idiyappamidlis and creamy chicken stew. After a round of sulaimani, we call it a day. At the crack of dawn, along with M Rajesh, an in-house naturalist, we walk past bougainvillea and jasmine blooms, yellow trumpet trees and Rangoon creepers with red flower clusters for a trek to the foothills of the Western Ghats. Along the way, we spot a purple sunbird, an Oriental darter sunbathing with its wings spread out on a tree top, while the colourful Indian Pita whistles away and the common hawk-cuckoo sings repetitively.

Short grain rice flavoured with betel leaves and fried garlic. Shot on oneplus #frames of India

Short grain rice flavoured with betel leaves and fried garlic. Shot on oneplus #frames of India
| Photo Credit:
K Jeshi

Lunch at Aarogyam, the in-house restaurant, showcases delicious Kongu cuisine. We try the aromatic Keeranur chicken biryani, bun parotta with Kongunadu mutton kuzhambu and vethalai poondu saadam, short grain rice flavoured with betel leaves and fried garlic. As a culinary anthropologist, Vikram has been studying the history of food of Peninsular India and that’s how he introduced Kongu cuisine.

“It’s all about the nuances of flavours. For example, betel leaf has a strong taste and how that imparts a dish or garlic when it’s slightly roasted without curry. In Pollachi mutton kuzhambu, the flavouring comes from drumstick used in the curry. In villages around Karur, there is sorakkai thattaipayir saadam eaten with vaalaithanduthayir pachadi,” explains Vikram adding that he also picked recipes like asari kozhi varuval, endemic to the region. “There is something called porial podi made with six ingredients like coriander seeds, fenugreek, dry chillies, channa dal, urad dal, and a hint of black pepper, coarsely ground. A pinch of asafoetida gives the umami flavour.”

After a relaxing foot massage at the spa, I sit by the thinnai and gaze at the mountains, content and happy

To know more, visit dvara.in or call 7339111222

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