Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka has made serious accusations against the state government regarding the handling of the special darshan system at Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysuru. The devotees who paid ₹2,000 for a "special quick darshan" were waiting for hours and hours after the first darshan, and so were treated poorly, as well as those who came to visit the temple and were given a second-hand darshan," he said.
Ashoka claimed that devotees were promised a special darshan within 20 minutes after paying ₹2,000. But instead of receiving priority access, many reportedly had to wait in queues for four to five hours due to the arrival of VIPs and changes in the temple’s schedule.
The Opposition leader questioned the fairness of such a system and criticised what he termed the growing influence of VIP culture in places of worship. He said ordinary devotees who had paid for expedited darshan were left disappointed despite spending a lot for the facility.
Ashoka also mentioned the hardships of elderly people, women, and families with young children. He asked who should be held accountable for the inconvenience and physical hardship of these devotees, especially since they had chosen the premium darshan service expecting a smoother pilgrimage.
The BJP leader also attacked the Mysuru district in-charge minister Dr. Yathindra and Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. He questioned why the government appeared efficient in collecting money from devotees but allegedly failed to provide a respectful, transparent, and time-bound darshan experience.
Ashoka said that Ashada month attracts lakhs of devotees from across Karnataka and neighbouring states to seek the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of the state. During this spiritually significant period, he said, it should be the government’s top priority to take care of crowd management and dignified arrangements for pilgrims.
He said that prioritising VIP movement over ordinary devotees undermines public faith and creates dissatisfaction among pilgrims who travel long distances with religious devotion. Ashoka said that waiting for several hours even for a premium darshan ticket is not humane and is not good for the temple management.
Ashoka called for immediate reforms and called for efficient and transparent management of darshan services. He stressed that devotees should be provided with accurate information on waiting times and that special darshan services should be provided as promised and not delayed by VIP visits.
He also pleaded with the government not to interfere with the sanctity of temple administration and warned that public trust could be eroded if devotees continue to face such experiences. The faith of worshippers should be the principal responsibility of the government, he said.
The allegations have triggered fresh political debate over temple management, VIP status, and the quality of services offered to devotees at major religious institutions in Karnataka. The government has yet to comment on the specific claims, but the situation has once again raised the need for better crowd management, accountability, and transparency at one of the state’s most revered temples.
As lakhs of people continue to visit Chamundeshwari Temple as Ashada is going on, a lot of devotees and observers will be closely monitoring the authorities to see if they make any changes to improve the darshan experience and address the issue of special entry.
