Only locals allowed in M M Hills temple on Mahashivaratri

Even though the government has lifted the restrictions and given permission to hold fairs and festivals in the state, the Male Mahadeshwara Hill temple authority and the district administration have decided to celebrate the Mahashivaratri festival in a simple manner, as per the tradition, in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

As per the directions of the technical advisory committee, a decision has been taken to celebrate all festivals including rathotsava and others. But, only the people coming under

Mahadeshwara Hill Gram Panchayat limits will be allowed to participate in the festival.

The Mahashivaratri festival is being celebrated at M M Hills from March 10 to 14. A meeting, chaired by District in-charge Minister S Suresh Kumar, was held a month ago, to discuss Shivaratri and Ugadi fairs. He had directed the officials to make arrangements for the festivals.

However, a meeting presided over by Deputy Commissioner M R Ravi recently, decided to limit it to the Gram Panchayat level and allow only locals into the temple during the fair.