Latest news with #AshadaFriday
Hans India
4 days ago
- 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
03-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Ashada Friday: Separate queue for devotees climbing steps
The district administration and the Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority have made elaborate arrangements for the second Ashada Friday rituals atop the Chamundi Hill to facilitate smooth darshan for devotees who will throng the hill from the early hours. Based on feedback from the devotees last Friday, the authorities have arranged a separate queue for devotees climbing the hill via steps. This queue will subsequently merge with the 'dharma darshan' queue near the temple. Anticipating an equally large turnout this Friday, special measures have been planned to ensure an orderly visit for all devotees. According to the police, devotees who wish to climb the hill using the steps this Friday can do so only between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., and they have been asked to assemble around 5 a.m. Those arriving earlier will not be allowed to begin the climb. The window to climb the steps will close at 6 a.m. Even vehicles near the steps will not be permitted. Last week, many devotees had gathered as early as 1 a.m. to climb the steps. The district administration said that around 15,000 devotees can stand in different queues outside the temple at one stretch, and all will be allowed to enter the temple premises for darshan when their turn comes. Therefore, considering the space available inside and outside the temple complex, devotees have been urged to cooperate and follow guidelines to ensure a safe and hassle-free darshan. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will provide a free bus service from the foothill to the temple from early morning. Police personnel, staff, and volunteers have been deployed to manage the crowd.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- The Hindu
Ashada Fridays: Chamundi temple eases darshan for devotees
With the number of devotees climbing the steps to the Chamundi Hills during the Ashada Fridays far exceeding expectations, the district administration and the Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority have introduced measures for ease of access. 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.
Deccan Herald
25-06-2025
- Deccan Herald
Chamundi Hill remains sans police station despite being a tourist destination
While Ashada Friday celebrations atop the Chamundi Hill will begin this Friday, a missing gold earring and jhumka of a devotee at Sri Chamundeshwari Devi temple reflected on several security lapses.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Ashada Fridays atop Chamundi Hills: A slew of measures in place as large turnout foreseen
With the first Ashada Friday scheduled on June 27, the Mysuru district administration is gearing up to manage a massive influx of devotees at the Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hills, expecting a turnout of over two lakh devotees on each Friday of the month. To ensure smooth darshan and prevent untoward incidents, a slew of measures have been put in place by the administration. On Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner (DC) G. Lakshmikant Reddy, along with senior officials, visited the temple premises and reviewed the preparedness. As in previous years, private vehicles will not be allowed on the hill from Friday to Sunday during the season. To manage the crowd and reduce congestion atop the hill, free shuttle buses will operate from the temporary bus stand near Lalitha Mahal Palace. 'All private vehicles are banned on these days. Free KSRTC buses will ferry devotees from the foothills. The entry system has been categorised to avoid confusion,' Mr. Reddy said at a press conference after the inspection. Three-tier darshan system This year, a three-tier darshan system will be in place with devotees having the option to choose from - a free darshan, a ticketed darshan at a cost of ₹300, or a special darshan at a price of ₹2,000. Tickets will be available at the bus-stand and parking lot near the Lalitha Mahal helipad. Separate shuttle buses will be operated based on ticket category. 'Devotees will be segregated at the foothills and guided accordingly to avoid mixing up of lines,' the DC added. Devotees, as per their ticket category, have to move in separate queues and reach a common entry point inside the temple premises, ensuring orderly darshan without mixing ticketed and free entry queues. Dasoha arrangements On the first Friday, temple authorities will manage the dasoha (mass food offering). Mr. Reddy clarified that no private individuals or organisations will be allowed to distribute prasad atop the hills despite several requests. The official dasoha will be arranged behind the temple in an open space only on the first Friday, he added. Security measures Police Commissioner Seema Latkar stated that over 1,000 police personnel will be deployed on bandobast duties across Chamundi Hills and its foothills from Friday to Sunday. Security will be maintained throughout the day in three shifts. Two DCPs, 12 ACPs, two Additional SPs, 20 inspectors, and a women's KSRP team will be in-charge of security. Additional CCTV cameras have been installed for surveillance, and movement on routes like Lalithadripura, Uttanahalli, and Tavarekere will be restricted on Ashada Fridays. Alternative routes will be notified to the public, she added. To help devotees navigate, QR codes will be made available that guide them directly to designated parking areas and the bus stand, Ms. Latkar informed. Traffic movement to the hill will be halted from 10 a.m. on Thursday, and only residents of Chamundi Hills with valid ID proof will be allowed entry thereafter, she told reporters. Temple chief priest Shashishekar Dikshit, MCC Commissioner Syed Tanvir Asif, temple authority member secretary Roopa, ZP CEO Yukesh Kumar. and other officials were present.
