Chamundi Hill Gram Panchayat urges DC to permit them to collect toll

Mysuru: Devotees henceforth planning to conduct Nava/ Shatha Chandika Homa atop the Chamundi Hill can do the same by registering online or by paying the fee at the temple counter. Hitherto, the devotees had to contact the priests for the homas and the Muzarai Temple was getting just Rs. 3,000 per homa.

This was decided at a meeting held yesterday that was chaired by Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, district officers, Chamundi Hill Gram Panchayat authorities and KSRTC officials.

In view of some complaints, the temple itself has decided to conduct it in order to bring in transparency. Mass Chandika Homa by a group of 5 will cost Rs. 12,000 each, while individual Chandika Homa will cost Rs. 35,000. The dates of Chandika Homa will be announced on the temple website. It has been decided to construct another Homa Kunda in the portico on the west of the temple.

At the meeting, officials from the Chamundi Hill Gram Panchayat authorities urged the DC to allow them to levy toll from the vehicles visiting the Hill. They said that toll will help the Panchayat to boost revenue. They said that though there was a provision for the Panchayat to collect toll, it was not   permitted to do so.

DIRECT BUSES

The KSRTC will operate direct buses from some of the important areas of the city to Chamundi Hill. Since the last few years, the KSRTC was operating free buses from Lalitha Mahal Helipad to Chamundi Hill on festival days and Dasara. However, this saw thousands of vehicles finding their way to the helipad leading to parking problems and traffic jams.

In order to avoid such a situation, the DC asked the KSRTC to operate direct buses from certain important parts of the city like Kuvempunagar and Bannimantap. Depending on the response, more areas will be included. However, the KSRTC officials have clarified that the direct buses will not offer free services and passengers will be charged at a reasonable rate.

The KSRTC will continue to operate from Lalitha Mahal helipad on four Ashaada Fridays and on Chamundeshwari Vardhanti and over 25 buses will be deployed for the purpose.

Pendals, drinking water and toilets will be set up at the helipad and private vehicles will not be allowed atop the hill during these days. Barricades will be set up to control the crowd, the DC informed.