DC takes stock of preparations for Ashada Friday atop Chamundi Hill

The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for ‘Ashada Shukravara’ celebrations atop the Chamundi Hill, beginning June 30.

Deputy Commissioner D Randeep instructed the officials to make all necessary preparations to provide basic facilities and amenities to the visitors during Ashada Fridays. The first Ashada Friday is on June 30, followed by July 7, 14 and 21. Meanwhile, the Vardhanti Uthsava (birthday) of Chamundeshwari will be celebrated on July 16. As the devotees are expected to throng the temple in large numbers on these special days, the DC directed the officials concerned to take necessary measures in the interest of the devotees.

He inspected the preparation works under way and also made some suggestions for the smooth conduct of the celebrations. On Ashada Fridays and on Vardhanti, no private vehicle will be allowed on top of the hill. All visitors will have to park their vehicles at Lalitha Mahal helipad or at the exhibition grounds parking lot. From there, they can reach the temple by KSRTC buses by paying the requisite fare. The number of buses and trips will be decided based on the number of visitors to the hill.

Water-proof shamiyana for shade, drinking water arrangement, barricades for streamlining of traffic, temporary lights, toilet facilities and separate parking facility for two-wheelers and four-wheelers at the parking lots will be provided.

Medical team

In order to prevent any untoward incident, including chain-snatching and pick-pocket, CCTV cameras will be installed at various places atop the hill. Streetlights will also be installed at vantage spots, such as Devikere and Mahishasura statue and along the routes. The bulbs of existing streetlights, those on the premises of the temple and at the vehicle parking lots will be repaired prior to the Ashada month.

Wherever necessary, bulbs will be changed. As a precautionary measure, ambulances and medical teams, equipped with necessary medicines, will be deployed atop the hill. Ambulances will be stationed atop the hill, near Nandi statue and at the helipad for easy access.

The quality of ‘prasada’ which the devotees wish to distribute among the people will be checked. If found either contaminated or of sub-standard the ‘prasada’ will be rejected as unfit for distribution.

The DC instructed the Mysuru City Corporation officials to ensure cleanliness atop the hill and to provide clean drinking water. Necessary support and facilities should be provided to the art troupes who perform during the celebrations by the temple administration and the Kannada and Culture department. Art troupes to perform at the Rag Ragini mantapa in front of the temple, will be short-listed by the officials soon. Fire engines will be kept ready as a precautionary measure, he said.

DCPs Dr Shekhar and Rudramuni, Tahsildar Ramesh Babu, Tahsildar of Muzrai department Yathiraj, and temple Executive Officer Prasad were present.