Mysuru: All preparations have been completed for the smooth conduct of the Ashadha Friday celebrations and the Chamundeshwari Vardhanthi festival at the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills, said deputy commissioner G Lakshmikanth Reddy. At a review meeting at Chamundi Hills on Tuesday, the DC said the four Ashadha Fridays will be observed on July 17, 24, 31 and Aug 7, while Chamundeshwari Vardhanthi will be celebrated on Aug 4.To facilitate devotees, KSRTC will operate special bus services from the Lalitha Mahal helipad and the KSRTC City bus stand from 6.30 am to 8.30pm on all Ashadha Fridays, as well as Saturdays and Sundays during the month. Devotees climbing the hill through the steps will be permitted only after 5am. Public has been requested not to assemble at the foothill before the designated time.The district administration has banned the entry of private vehicles to Chamundi Hill on all Ashadha Fridays and on Vardhanthi day. Only vehicles with official duty passes will be allowed. VIP and protocol darshan will be restricted to 5.30am to 10am, after which no VIP vehicles will be permitted to proceed up the hill.No footwear standsAs no footwear stands will be available atop the hill, devotees are advised to leave their footwear at the designated counters near the Lalitha Mahal helipad and the city bus stand before boarding KSRTC buses, clarified the DC.A dedicated control room will be established to monitor both the general and Rs 2,000 special darshan queues. The control room will be managed jointly by the deputy commissioner of police, city, the KSRTC city divisional controller and secretary of the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority.
