Mysuru: In view of the heavy influx of devotees during the Hindu month of Aashada to Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hills, district minister HC Mahadevappa visited the religious site on Sunday to inspect the facilities arranged for devotees and tourists.After the first Friday during Aashada on June 27 saw over 1.5 lakh devotees visit the temple, the minister reviewed crowd management plans, transportation facilities, and security arrangements as the Aashada Friday celebrations will be held on July 4, 11, and 18. Besides, Chamundeshwari Vardhanti will be celebrated on July 17, which also attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees to the hill shrine.To streamline the darshan process, the authorities decided to open an additional ticket counter near the Nandi Statue on Aashada Fridays, as well as on the following Saturdays and Sundays. This move aims to reduce waiting time and improve accessibility for devotees.During the inspection, Mahadevappa stressed the importance of efficient inter-departmental coordination and robust security measures. He expressed satisfaction with the preparations and assured the public that the administration is fully committed to providing a safe and smooth darshan experience of goddess Chamundeshwari.The minister also interacted with devotees waiting in the free darshan queue after they arrived by city buses from Lalitha Mahal Grounds.MJ Roopa, secretary of the Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority, said that over 1.25 lakh devotees visited the temple on the first Aashada Shukravara. She noted that some changes were implemented following the initial review meeting conducted by the deputy commissioner and the minister. “To ease congestion, we have introduced block-wise queue systems and appointed nodal officers to manage drinking water supply. Devotees will now be moved forward block by block, preventing overcrowding near the temple premises,” she said.On the first Aashada Friday, 1,881 devotees availed the Rs 2,000 special darshan, and 3,416 devotees took the Rs 300 ticket.Zilla panchayat CEO S Ukesh Kumar, Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Sheikh Tanveer Asif, and deputy commissioners of police M Mutturaj and KS Sundar Raj accompanied the minister during the inspection.Local traders at the Chamundi Hills submitted a memorandum requesting permission to open their shops on days other than Friday. As per current regulations, all commercial establishments are required to remain closed on Fridays due to the high volume of devotees. However, traders claimed they were also being forced to close on Saturdays and Sundays, significantly affecting their income during this crucial season. In the presence of local leaders Shambulinga and Sridhar Nayak, the traders said that their earnings during Aashada sustain them for the rest of the year. “Being shut for 12 days during this month would be unsustainable,” they said.Acknowledging their concerns, Mahadevappa said, “While the safety and convenience of devotees remain the highest priority, we also recognise the livelihood needs of traders. The deputy commissioner will assess the situation and take appropriate action. A balanced approach is necessary, especially given the higher-than-expected turnout this year.”
