Ashada Fridays: Chamundi temple eases darshan for devotees
On the first Ashada Friday, huge crowds thronged the temple, causing a delay in darshan for devotees who reached the hilltop by taking the steps, while those with Dharmadarshan entry or special tickets were able to have quick darshan.
To avoid inconvenience from the second Ashada Friday onwards, devotees climbing the steps will also be allowed to join the Dharmadarshan queue for darshan on all the remaining Ashada Fridays.
Free bus services have been arranged from the Lalitha Mahal Palace grounds. The temple authority has urged devotees to utilise this free service for quick and convenient access to the temple, said a press release.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
19-07-2025
- Hans India
Union Minister Karandlaje walks up the steps for Ashada Friday darshan
Mysuru: Devotion and tradition took centrestage on Chamundi Hill on Friday as Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje joined thousands of devotees for the auspicious fourth Ashada Friday rituals, offering prayers to the presiding deity Chamundeshwari Devi with customary reverence. Following her yearly tradition, Minister Karandlaje ascended the sacred steps leading to the temple atop Chamundi Hill early this morning. Despite her hectic ministerial duties, she ensured that she reached Mysuru to take part in this significant ritual, a testament to her deep faith in the goddess revered as the guardian deity of the region. She climbed the steps along with other devotees and offered a special puja, seeking blessings for the well-being of the state and its people. On this final Ashada Friday, the Chamundeshwari temple, perched atop the misty hills of Mysuru, was transformed into a vibrant hub of spiritual energy and devotional fervor. As per tradition, the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari was adorned in the grand 'Simhavahini' alankara, symbolising the deity riding a lion—a powerful representation of courage and protection. The utsava murti (processional idol) was decorated with exquisite flowers and strings of peacock feathers, enhancing the sanctity and grandeur of the occasion. Temple authorities made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of rituals, which began as early as 4:30 am with special pujas and homas performed by the temple priests. As the morning progressed, long queues of devotees, some climbing the steep steps barefoot, slowly wound their way to the sanctum to catch a glimpse of the goddess and offer their prayers. In anticipation of the massive crowd, the district administration imposed a ban on private vehicles to Chamundi Hill today. KSRTC arranged special shuttle services from the foothills to the temple entrance to ensure hassle-free darshan for devotees. Volunteers and police personnel were deployed in large numbers to manage the crowd and maintain order, ensuring the pilgrimage remained peaceful and spiritually fulfilling. The Ashadha month is considered highly sacred in Karnataka, with all Fridays during this period dedicated to special prayers and offerings to Goddess Chamundeshwari. Many devotees, irrespective of age, undertake the arduous climb up the 1,000-plus steps, believing it to be an act of penance and devotion that brings them the goddess's blessings.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- The Hindu
People in large numbers throng Chamundi Hills on last Ashada Friday
The last Friday of the Ashada season witnessed a massive rush of devotees at the Chamundi Hills, as thousands of people visited the temple of Goddess Chamundeshwari to seek blessings. Visiting the Chamundeshwari temple on Ashada Fridays is a centuries-old tradition in the region, and has gained more traction in recent years. As a result, not only people from Mysuru, but also from nearby districts and other parts of the State made a beeline to the hill shrine on Friday. The temple was decorated with flowers to mark the event, while religious rites and ceremonies commenced at dawn. As the entry of private vehicles was banned to regulate traffic, KSRTC had introduced shuttle services from the Lalitha Mahal Palace grounds to Chamundi Hills for the devotees. In sync with the tradition, many devotees walked up 1008 steps barefoot leading to the shrine. Among them was Minister of State for MSMEs Shobha Karandlaje, who has been following this tradition for years. As it was the last Friday of Ashada, the district administration had anticipated heavy rush and had made adequate arrangements to enable the public to have a hassle-free darshan at the temple. But the authorities also had to manage the 'VIPs', including ministers and political leaders who made a beeline. Minister K.H. Muniyappa, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra, and others were among the ones who visited. The serpentine queue winding along the barricades was lengthy since dawn and police personnel were deployed in large numbers to handle any exigency.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
Kanaka Durga temple sees surge in devotees due to Ashada month
Vijayawada: The sacred Indrakeeladri Hill is witnessing an unprecedented influx of devotees as the number of pilgrims visiting Sri Kanaka Durga temple continues to surge, especially during the auspicious Ashada month. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On Sunday alone, temple officials recorded a footfall of over one lakh devotees, marking one of the highest turnouts in recent months. Kanaka Durga temple, regarded as the second most important temple in Andhra Pradesh after Tirumala, typically sees about 10,000 visitors on weekdays, rising to 30,000 on Sundays. However, since the beginning of 2025, there was a remarkable jump in pilgrim numbers, with crowds swelling to 60,000 during summer weekends and continuing to grow steadily ever since. During the Ashada month, the rush peaks on Sundays as devotees come to offer Ashada Saare to the Goddess. Temple staff have been working round the clock to manage the large crowds and maintain order. Despite their efforts, the rush impacted even special darshan services. "We wanted VVIP Darshan, but due to the massive crowd, it was cancelled. We waited in the queue for nearly three hours," shared K Rohini, a devotee from Guntur. Temple EO VK Seena Nayak said that steps are being taken to ensure a comfortable and smooth darshan for all devotees. "We are distributing milk, biscuits, and mineral water to those standing in queues," he said. Yuva, another official, emphasized the need for long-term solutions. "If permanent queue lines and annadanam counters are included in the temple's master plan, we can better manage crowds even if the numbers continue to grow." With Ashada Sundays drawing near-record crowds, temple authorities are on high alert, working to maintain spiritual serenity amid the swelling tide of devotion.
