A sudden increase in the special darshan ticket price at the famous Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills in Mysuru has left devotees disappointed and angry. The ticket price now stands at ₹200, which is a hike that pilgrims and regular visitors say is an extra cost on worshippers.
Chamundeshwari Temple, one of Karnataka’s most worshipped places of worship, draws thousands of devotees every day from all over the state and the country. People come to the hill shrine for the blessing of Goddess Chamundeshwari during the weekends, holidays, and the festival season. So far, the price hike has become the talk of the town as well as the road in front of the temple.
Some visitors who arrived at the temple were unaware of the new charges and were shocked to find that the special darshan fee had quadrupled. Notices and boards informing devotees about the revised charges have been posted around the temple, but many of them were unhappy about the huge increase.
Devotees felt that a place of worship should be accessible to all, regardless of their economic background. Many said that they had been buying the ₹50 special darshan ticket for years and were not expecting such a big jump. Some visitors felt that there was a need for a higher fee to get darshan more quickly and that the special queue would not be open for lower-income devotees.
The temple administration and the government that manages the shrine have also been criticised. Travellers protested the decision to charge so much for the tickets and asked the authorities to lower or introduce some affordable tickets to allow devotees from all sections of society to access special darshan facilities.
Public frustration could be felt as devotees gathered near ticket counters and discussion points in the temple complex. While some felt the revised rates were a logical step in the right direction of administrative policy to enhance facilities and control the crowd, others said the increase was excessive and not justified.
Chamundi Hills is one of Mysuru’s most iconic spiritual sites and is a part of our religious and cultural heritage. As Dasara is a festival and there are so many visitors coming every year, it is very difficult to control the crowd in the temple.
Meanwhile, devotees are hoping that, with the ticket price hike, the temple administration will take into account public sentiment. Many believe temple facilities and services are important, but ensuring affordable access for devotees should also be a priority.
For now, visitors seeking special darshan at the Chamundeshwari Temple will have to pay the revised ₹200 fee, even as calls for a lower price continue to grow.
