Mysuru: On the second Ashada Friday, a strong devotion swept Chamundi Hills as thousands of devotees gathered to seek the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru.
The temple was festively decorated with a variety of colorful flowers, and it was a very colorful and happy place. The idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari was presented in a great Lakshmi Alankara, an elegant pink saree, and people from all over Karnataka and adjoining states came to visit.
Special rituals and pujas started as early as 3:00 a.m., with temple priests performing traditional rituals before the temple was opened for public darshan. The divine decoration and elaborate rituals added to the spiritual significance of the auspicious Ashada Friday.
From early morning to late that morning, long lines of devotees flowed to the hill shrine. To ease traffic and reduce congestion on the roads, the government arranged free bus services from Lalitha Mahal Grounds to Chamundi Hills.
Private vehicles were not allowed to enter the hill, and pilgrims were encouraged to take the free shuttle buses provided by the administration. This was to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims and to cope with the huge number of people coming in.
The temple authorities continued the Dharma Darshan facility for devotees and also gave them a ₹2,000 special entry ticket if they wanted to get into the temple faster.
Special arrangements were also made for VVIP visitors who were allowed darshan only between 5:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and after that, priority was given to the general public to ensure uninterrupted access for thousands of devotees.
The Mysuru district administration and police put in place tight security arrangements across Chamundi Hills. Hundreds of police personnel were deployed to keep queues in check, control traffic, and protect pilgrims during the day.
Officials also made arrangements for drinking water, medical support, crowd management, and emergency response services to permit a smooth and comfortable pilgrimage experience.
It is believed that the second Ashada Friday is the most auspicious day for worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari. Every year, devotees think that the prayers on this day are the kind of prayers that bring prosperity, good health, and divine blessings.
Chamundi Hills were once again in the middle of a great celebration of faith and tradition, and still one of Karnataka’s most revered pilgrimage sites with devotional chants echoing across the hills, vibrant floral decorations, and elaborate religious rituals going on.
