High Court stay on PRASHAD Project

Question mark over pilgrim amenities ahead of Ashada festivities and Dasara

Mysuru: The ambitious Rs. 47 crore PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) project atop Chamundi Hill has come to a standstill following a stay order by the Karnataka High Court.

Construction sites at various points of the Hill have been sealed off with iron sheets and barricades, leaving several structures incomplete and creating an atmosphere of disorder. As a result, devotees and tourists visiting the Hill are greeted by half-finished works and restricted access to several areas.

The Centre-sponsored project envisaged a series of infrastructure works aimed at improving pilgrim amenities while preserving the Hill’s heritage. These included a queue complex near the Chamundeshwari Temple, a multi-purpose centre near the Mahishasura statue, a traditional-style entrance arch, toilets, a footwear stand, a viewing tower and renovation of the historic steps.

Work on the project was progressing at a brisk pace before the High Court intervened.

In 2017: Hill visitors taking selfies and viewing the city through a binocular installed at the View Point on way to Sri Chamundeshwari Temple.

Severe opposition

On Apr. 7, a Division Bench headed by Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum passed an interim order directing the Mysuru Deputy Commissioner to immediately halt all construction activities until further orders. The Court also warned that any violation of its directions would invite appropriate action.

The stay followed objections raised by heritage conservationists, residents of villages under the Chamundi Gram Panchayat, Hindu organisations and members of the erstwhile Mysore royal family. They contended that the proposed constructions would alter the Hill’s traditional and religious character.

Among the concerns raised was the proposed viewing tower, which, they argued, could obstruct the view of the temple gopura and compromise the sanctity of the shrine. Acting on a writ petition filed by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, the High Court granted the interim stay, bringing all ongoing works to a halt.

The impact of the order is now visible across the Hill. The under-construction queue complex near the temple remains enclosed by iron sheets, grills and construction materials, while barricades around the proposed viewing tower have restricted public access. Areas that once presented a serene ambience now bear the look of an unfinished construction site.

In 2026: The steel grills and binocular have been removed from View Point gallery atop the Hill and area barricaded with zinc sheets and rusted steel barricades.

‘Petition filed to vacate stay’

M.J. Roopa, Secretary, Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority, told Star of Mysore that a petition has been filed before the High Court seeking to vacate the interim stay on the PRASHAD project.

“The application has been submitted on behalf of the Government by the Joint Commissioner of the Tourism Department. As the Court was on vacation last month, the matter could not be heard. Now that the Court has resumed, we are hopeful that the petition will be taken up soon,” she added.

‘Project delay caused losses’

Sujendra Kumar of SKS Karkala Infrastructure and project contractor said that the suspension of work has resulted in financial losses.

“I have served a legal notice on the Tourism Department in this regard. The Government will release payment for the work already executed. I am now awaiting the Court’s decision on whether the project can proceed. If permission is not granted, I will have no option but to cancel the tender.”

Where will Dasara be inaugurated?

The impact of the stalled PRASHAD project is likely to be felt during Ashada Fridays and Sri Chamundeshwari Vardhanthi, when lakhs of devotees are expected to visit Chamundi Hill.

Every year, the Police make elaborate arrangements around the temple premises to regulate the movement of devotees through orderly queues. However, with work on the queue complex halted and the construction site sealed off with iron-sheet barricades, the space is no longer available, raising concerns over crowd management and causing inconvenience to devotees.

The uncertainty also extends to Mysuru Dasara inauguration, scheduled for Oct. 11. Traditionally, the inaugural stage is erected at the site where the queue complex is now under construction.

With that area remaining inaccessible following the High Court’s stay order, there is speculation over where the District Administration will hold this year’s inaugural function.

Note: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is scheduled to hold Dasara preliminary meeting in Bengaluru this afternoon.