Hassan: The district administration has stepped up preparations for the annual darshan festival at the historic Hasanamba Temple, expecting more devotees than last year and planning measures to reduce waiting time while ensuring safe and smooth darshan, DC KS Latha Kumari said Friday.The festival will be held from Oct 29 to Nov 11, with public darshan available from Oct 30 to Nov 10, Assistant commissioner and temple administrative officer Jagadeesh Gangannavar said. There will be no darshan on Oct 29, when the sanctum doors are opened, or on the final day.With lakhs of devotees expected, waiting periods could stretch from three to six hours. The administration is discussing with priests ways to improve darshan arrangements without compromising religious traditions. The priests have assured full cooperation, Latha Kumari said.After offering special prayers at the temple along with SP Shubhanwita and other officials, the DC reviewed preparations and discussed rituals, crowd management and darshan arrangements with the priests.District in-charge minister KM Shivalingegowda will hold a meeting Sunday to review darshan arrangements, barricading and infrastructure works. Necessary works will be expedited, the DC said.Repair, painting and other improvement works are underway on the temple premises under the district administration’s guidance.Around 1,200 revenue department personnel are being prepared for deployment during the festival. Officials, including village accountants, revenue inspectors and other staff, have completed the first phase of two-day training. A second and final training session will follow.Additional deputy commissioner Krishnamurthy, ASP Srinidhi and other officials were present.DC, SP offer prayers togetherMeanwhile, DC KS Latha Kumari and SP Shubhanwita offered prayers together and exchanged greetings warmly. Their joint visit comes after a controversy over a notice issued by the DC to the SP regarding the immersion of a Ganapati idol at Hassan’s historic Devikere. Chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh earlier this week held discussions with both officers in Bengaluru to resolve the issue.
