Latest news with #ShreeChamundeshwariKshetraDevelopmentAuthority
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Minister Mahadevappa inspects Chamundi Temple preparations for Aashada month
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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 안구건조 걱정 없이 안전하게! 강남아이원스안과 지금 신청하기 Undo 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."
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chamundeshwari temple authorities mull dress code for devotees
1 2 Mysuru: In response to the growing number of devotees visiting the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hills in western attire — such as jeans, shorts, skirts, miniskirts, and sleeveless tops — the Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority is considering the implementation of a dress code for both men and women. The initiative aims to preserve the sanctity and cultural dignity of the temple, especially amid concerns over inappropriate clothing, officials argued. The authorities also requested devotees to visit the temple in decent attire. The move is in the wake of increasing instances of both men and women wearing informal clothing to the temple. Authorities argued that if people can adhere to dress codes in professional spaces like offices, courts, and hospitals, similar respect should be shown in religious places, which hold deeper spiritual significance. Temples in Karnataka and across the country have already begun enforcing dress codes, with signage explicitly barring attire such as shorts, bermuda shorts, miniskirts, night suits, torn jeans, and frocks. The Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority is expected to discuss the introduction of a similar policy in its upcoming meeting. The authority is headed by chief minister Siddaramaiah. MJ Roopa, secretary of the Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority, told TOI: "Wearing decent attire is important not only while visiting Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, but in any place of worship. The issue was discussed in the last meeting but no decision was taken. However, we are receiving increasing requests from devotees to implement a dress code. Being a cultural city, Mysuru must uphold traditional values within its temples as well. " MA Alvar, professor at Maharaja's Sanskrit College, emphasised, "Places like police stations, courts, and hospitals have dress codes because they are important institutions. A temple is even more sacred. Inappropriate clothing spoils the spiritual atmosphere. Devotees come to the temple seeking peace of mind, and the environment should encourage devotion, not discomfort or distraction. Hence, a decent dress code is essential. " Meanwhile, on Thursday, a group of volunteers conducted an awareness campaign in front of the temple, urging devotees to dress modestly during the Aashada month. They recommended that men wear traditional attire such as dhotis, shawls, pants, and shirts, while women are encouraged to wear saris or churidars.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Chamundi Temple introduces glass water bottles for devotees
Mysuru: In a novel initiative, the Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority will sell water in glass bottles to the devotees visiting Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hills, with a buy-back offer. The idea is to ensure that plastic water bottles do not ruin the environment. As per the plan, Rs 50 has been fixed for half-litre bottles, while Rs 35 is fixed for the 250 ml water bottles. If the devotees return the water bottle, Rs 30 and Rs 25 will be returned. Meanwhile, the authority decided to hire staff from the MM Hills Temple to manage the crowd during the Aashada month when the temple witnesses a huge flow of devotees from across South India. Another major decision taken by the authority is the installation of over 100 AI-powered CCTVs in the foothills and atop the hills to ensure the safety of the devotees. The authority decided to create a separate entrance line for the devotees who visit the temple by climbing 1,000 steps. The devotees who take the darshan through the free darshan system will receive milk and dry fruits from the authority. The devotees who take the darshan with Rs 2,000 tickets will be given prasada along with a photo of the goddess, according to the press release issued by the authority. The officials informed that no tickets will be issued atop Chamundi Hills.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Enforce plastic ban during festivities: Eco action panel
Mysuru: Members of the Action Committee to Save Environment on Wednesday urged the district administration, forest, and Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority for strict enforcement of the single-use plastic ban during Aashada Friday celebrations atop Chamundi Hills. They asked the officials to initiate measures to protect the pristine environment by preventing all kinds of pollution at the religious centre. Speaking to reporters, Parashuramegowda, convener of the committee, said that the state govt has banned the use of single-use plastics not only in Mysuru city, but also on Chamundi Hills. As the Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority announced plans to distribute dry fruits and badam milk to devotees arriving at the temple, the district administration must clearly advice the authority to use only environmentally-friendly bags and stop using plastic covers, he said. "It must strictly implement the directives to limit the use of plastic items like carry bags, plastic plates, cups, spoons, and water bottles on the hill. It must ensure no shops on the hills use plastic carry bags during the festivities, as lakhs of devotees will arrive at the temple on the occasion," he added. He also appealed to devotees to buy natural turmeric and kumkum powder instead of artificial chemical turmeric and kumkum powder. He also appealed to members of all organisations involved in the conservation of environment to extend support to the govt in preventing the plastic menace atop the hills.
