Mysuru: The iconic Chamundi Hill was spruced up ahead of the auspicious first Ashada Friday on June 30, as city’s Pragnavanta Nagarika Vedike launched whitewashing of mantapas around the footsteps of the Hill, this morning.

Taking note of graffiti on the walls of the mantapas, the Vedike launched whitewashing of the 18 mantapas around the footsteps. The vedike also plans to paint the mantap walls with murals to prevent any sort of desecration.

BJP leader Kautilya Raghu and City BJP President Dr. B.H. Manjunath inaugurated the programme.

Deputy Mayor Rathna Lakshman, Vedike office-bearers H.G. Giridhar, Vikram Bharadwaj, Anil Thomas, Anand, Jadadish and others were present.

In another event, members of Sir M. Visvesvaraya Plumbing and Sanitary Labourers’ Welfare Union cleaned the footsteps of Chamundi Hill this morning.

The members, apart from cleaning the steps, trimmed the bushes and plants along the 1,001 steps to maintain the beauty of the hill.

The members also undertook cleaning of the vicinity around Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Hill. All the pilgrims who climbed the steps today were allowed direct darshan of the deity.

Senior Journalist Rajashekar Koti and Assistant Labour Officer Ravikumar jointly inaugurated the cleaning drive.

Union Secretary M.S. Suresh Kumar, Treasurer S. Mahesh, office-bearers Jagadish, Ravikumar, Thimmaraju, Kalegowda, Chandregowda, Aijaz Pasha, Anil Kumar and others were present.

Arrangement for darshan

The Executive Officer of Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill, in a press release, stated that arrangements were made for darshan of deity on Ashada  Fridays on June 30, July 7, 14, 21 and on Chamundeshwari Varadanti Mahotsava on July 16. Public darshan will be allowed from 5.30 am to 9.30 pm on the said days.

Separate queue: 1. Free entry in front of Narayanaswamy Temple. 2. Special entry (Rs. 50) in front of Mahabaleshwara Swamy Temple. 3. Abhisheka Seve entry (Rs. 300) in front of Nandini Parlour near high mast lamp.

Transport facility: 1. Entry of private vehicles banned to temple atop Chamundi Hill from  9.30 pm on the day prior to Ashada Fridays. 2. Parking facility will be provided for private vehicles near helipad. KSRTC has arranged buses to ferry people free of cost from helipad to temple and back. The service is available from 3 am to 9 pm. 3. KSRTC has also arranged bus service from Doddakere Maidan near Dasara Exhibition Grounds to Chamundi HiIl from 5.30 am to 9 pm with a one-way fare of Rs. 17.

Prasada distribution: Passes will be issued to donors for distributing prasada near temple at Muzrai Cell at DC’s Office (Room No. 15).

The prasada should be distributed after obtaining quality clearance from Food Supervisors near the temple. The prasada should be compulsorily distributed at the Food Shelter erected in front of Chamundi Hill bus stand. Action will be taken against those trying to distribute prasada without permission.

Plastic ban: Usage of plastic covers and water bottles is banned atop the Chamundi Hill.

Passes for special vehicles: City Police Commissioner Dr. A. Subrahmanyeswara Rao, in a press release, has issued guidelines for obtaining passes for special vehicles to reach Chamundi Hill on Ashada Fridays.

1. Vehicles used for carrying prasada for distribution should be parked at the facility provided opposite the KSRTC Bus Stand atop the Hill. The passes for those vehicles should be obtained from either the Office of the Police Commissioner or District Administration.
2. Passes for VVIP, VIP, Media vehicles and for the those on duty should be obtained from the Office of the Police Commissioner.

The vehicles should be parked at the 2nd and 3rd designated parking areas. No vehicles will be allowed from Mahishasura Statue to Temple.

3. Vehicular Movement from Uttanahalli Road side to Chamundi Hill will be completely banned both ways.
4. Residents of Chamundi Hill should obtain passes at Hill Gram Panchayat Office by submitting Driving Licence, Registration Certificate or Electoral Photo Identity Card Photocopies.