The Vardhanti (birthday) of Goddess Chamundeshwari was celebrated with traditional pomp and gaiety atop the Chamundi Hill here on Wednesday.

The Vardhanti of the presiding deity, celebrated in ‘Revati Nakshatra’ in ‘Aashadha Krishna Paksha’ every year, was witnessed by thousands of devotees from different parts of the district and State, who had conglomerated at the hill shrine.

The highlight of the day was the procession of the Utsava Murthy (Metal idol meant for procession) of the Goddess mounted on a golden palanquin.

As per the tradition, royal family scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, accompanied by his mother Pramoda Devi Wadiyar offered puja to the Goddess, heralding the procession that started at 10.30 am.

A temporary canopy was held aloft the Utsava Murthy, throughout the procession.

Earlier, the puja rituals began at 3.30 am that included ‘Abhyanjana Snana’, ‘Mahanyasapoorvaka Rudrabhisheka’, ‘Panchamruta Abhisheka’, ‘Rudrabhisheka’, ‘Phalabhisheka’, and ‘Annabhisha’. The temple was opened for the devotees at 8.30 am.

The temple was decorated with flowers of all types, including chrysanthemum, marigold, roses, mango leaves among others. The roof was decorated with maize.

To ensure hassle-free darshan for the devotees, a barricade system was in place at the temple. Beginning from the main entrance, that served both as entry and exit points for the devotees, the temple management committee, along with local police, had made adequate arrangements for the convenience of the devotees.

Like the free bus ride offered by the KSRTC from Hotel Lalitha Mahal Palace helipad to the hill during Aashadha Fridays, buses ferried devotees in multiple trips.

The Vardhanti was celebrated by various organisation across the city. Volunteers had put up pandals and had installed statues of Chamundeshwari.

Prasadam was distributed to devotees on the occasion.