Hassan: Deputy commissioner Latha Kumari has directed officials to take all necessary measures to ensure smooth and safe darshan for devotees during the upcoming Sri Hassanamba Devi and Sri Siddeshwara Swamy Jathra Mahotsava.The annual Jatra Mahotsava of Goddess Hassanamba will be held from Oct 29 to Nov 11.The DC instructed officials to give utmost importance to safety of devotees while installing barricades. “Last year, devotees standing in queues suffered injuries after their feet hit iron rods in the barricades. This should not recur and barricading work must be done systematically,” she said.Officials must focus on crowd management and be ready to take instant decisions as per the situation. “Cleanliness should be prioritised in the temple premises, queue lines and toilets. Three teams should be formed to work in shifts for this,” she said.Noting that a devotee was bitten by a dog last year, she asked officials to ensure no stray dogs are found around the temple and to catch and shift them to a shelter.District health and family welfare officer was directed to arrange 24×7 medical check-up and first aid for devotees who develop health issues. The DC said a separate queue with wheelchairs and a separate waiting hall should be arranged for persons with disabilities and senior citizens above 80 years, so that they can wait till their family members finish darshan.Separate counters should be opened near the ticket counter to collect rice, jaggery and other grains donated by donors, and inside the temple premises to receive offerings (madlakki) from devotees, she said.
