Dist administration all set for first Ashada Friday at Chamundi Hills

Entry of all private vehicles restricted from 10 pm today

With the beginning of Ashada month, the district administration has made elaborate arrangements atop Chamundi Hill to facilitate devotees thronging the place on Fridays.

The first Ashada Friday falls on June 30, followed by July 7, 14 and 21 and the Vardhanti Utsava of goddess Chamundeshwari will be celebrated on July 16.

The officials have made necessary preparations to provide basic facilities to the visitors during Ashada Fridays. As the devotees are expected to throng the temple in large numbers on these special days, private vehicles have been restricted atop the hill and KSRTC buses will ferry the devotees from Lalith Mahal Helipad and Dasara Exhibition grounds.

The visitors have to park their vehicles at Lalith Mahal helipad or at the exhibition grounds parking lot.

From there, they can reach the temple by KSRTC buses. The buses from helipad will start commuting from 2 am up to 10 pm. Similarly, buses from Dasara Exhibition grounds will operate from 3 am to 9 pm.

Vehicle pass

Entry passes to VVIP and VIP vehicles will be issued at City Police Commissioner’s office. However, all vehicles should be parked at a parking space provided near Mahishasura statue atop Chamundi Hill.

Entry of all private vehicles is restricted from 10 pm on Thursday (June 29). Residents of Chamundi Hill have requested authorities to obtain permission for their vehicles by submitting driving license and vehicle documents at Chamundi Hill Gram Panchayat office, atop the hill.

 Besides security, the authorities have made additional arrangements atop the hill like temporary drinking water, lights, toilet facilities and separate parking facility for two-wheelers and four-wheelers, for the convenience of the public.

Under surveillance

In order to prevent any untoward incident, CCTV cameras are being installed at various places atop the hill. Additional streetlights at vantage spots such as Devikere and Mahishasura statue and along the route have been installed. As a precautionary measure, ambulances, medical teams, equipped with necessary medicines will be deployed atop the hill and at the helipad.

Darshan

Special arrangements have been made for the darshan of goddess Chamundeshwari. Three entry points have been set up for the devotees — free entry in front of Sri Narayanaswamy Temple, Rs 50 ticket entry near Sri Mahabaleshwara Swami Temple and Rs 300 ticket entry near Hi-mast lamp in front of Nandini Parlour.

Prasadam will be distributed at food shelter in front of the bus stand atop the hill. The authorities concerned will check the quality of prasadam which devotees wish to distribute among visitors.