Crowd control measures in place for Aashada Fridays, Vardhanti
Mysuru: Mysuru district administration has made extensive preparations to manage the large influx of devotees expected at the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills on Fridays during the Hindu month of Aashada and for Chamundeshwari Vardhanti on July 17.
Fridays in the Hindu month of Aashada fall on June 27, July 4, 11, and 18.
Deputy commissioner Lakshmikanth Reddy and police commissioner Seema Latkar, along with senior officials, inspected the temple premises on Wednesday to oversee the preparations.
Devotees can access the temple through Dharma Darshana (free general entry) or via two special entry categories priced at Rs 300 and Rs 2,000, respectively. Entry via recommendation letters will not be permitted this year.
Private vehicles will be completely banned on all Aashada Fridays, accompanying weekends, and on July 17 — a total of 12 days. Instead, free shuttle services will be provided by KSRTC from the Lalitha Mahal Grounds to the hilltop.
Sri Chamundeshwari Temple chief priest N Shashishekar Dixit stated that during the Aashadha Fridays, the special pujas will start at 3.30am at the temple. "Aashadha month is considered as auspicious in devi temples.
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The annual car festival will be held on July 17," he said. "During the Aashadha Fridays, the devotees will be allowed to take the darshan of the goddess between 5.30am and 10pm. However, on July 17, the darshan will start at 8am," he explained.
Special entry ticket counters will be located at the parking lot of Lalitha Mahal Grounds. The first shuttle will operate at 5am, with the last bus departing at 9pm on Aashada Fridays, and darshan will be open from 5am to 10pm on these special days.
"Considering the stampede during the RCB victory celebrations, we've implemented strict crowd management to ensure the safety of devotees. Last year, each Aashada Friday drew between 1.5 lakh and 2 lakh devotees. This year, we are expecting even larger crowds, including on the following weekends," the deputy commissioner told reporters. He added that entry and exit routes at the temple will be separated and advised visitors to leave footwear at the parking area or avoid wearing it.
VIPs have been requested to visit the temple only between 5am and 10am.
Seema announced that over 1,700 police personnel will be deployed, including four KSRP platoons, a women's KSRP platoon. "The security will be supervised by two additional SPs grade officials. Residents staying on the hills will be required to carry valid ID cards. Separate parking facilities have been arranged for devotees opting for the Rs 300 and Rs 2,000 ticketed entries," the IPS officer said.
To ensure a smooth experience for devotees, the administration has arranged for public address systems and loudspeakers for guidance, additional toilets, drinking water stations, emergency healthcare services, and ambulance services on standby.
BOX
Aashada Shukravara: June 27, July 4, 11, 18
Chamundeshwari Vardhanti: July 17
Timings: 5am to 10pm
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