DC instructs officials to make necessary preparations

Mysore/Mysuru: With the month-long Ashada Maasa commencing next month, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr. K.V. Rajendra has instructed officials to make necessary arrangements atop Chamundi Hill on all Ashada Fridays (July 12, 19, 26 and Aug. 2) and Chamundeshwari Vardhanti on July 27 for ensuring a safe darshan of the deity for devotees.

The DC was presiding over Ashada Friday preparatory meeting with officials at the ZP Office here yesterday.

Pointing out that the Ashada Fridays fall on July 12, 19, 26 and Aug. 2 and Chamundeshwari Vardhanti on July 27 (the day after third Ashada Friday), Dr. Rajendra said that a large number of devotees from across the State and other States are expected to take part on these days. The officials must start preparations from now on for the events atop the Hill, he added.

Stating that the District Minister will hold a preparatory meeting with peoples representatives and all others concerned in the first week of July, he said that food safety must be given top priority as some devotees would want to distribute Prasada during Ashada Fridays.

Stressing on the need for taking necessary steps for maintaining hygiene at Dasoha Bhavan (Mass Feeding) and its surroundings atop the Hill, he said that the Food Safety Officials must be alert and conduct quality checks of prasada meant for distribution among the devotees.

Emphasising on the need for providing pure drinking water to devotees, he said that top priority must be given for vehicle parking facility at the Chamundi foothill as a huge number of vehicles are expected to arrive.

Directing the officials to maintain hygiene and cleanliness in and around the vicinity of the Temple premises, he said that carrying plastics to the hill top is strictly banned. Pointing out that shops atop the Hill too are prohibited from using banned plastics, he instructed for installation of CCTV cameras at vantage points across the hill top as a measure of public safety.

Highlighting that putting up flex, banners, boards and other such publicity materials are prohibited, Dr. Rajendra clarified that there will be no issuance of passes.

Asking the Police to make all security arrangements, he directed the officials to take all other necessary measures for ensuring smooth darshan for devotees.

ZP CEO K.M. Gayathri, DCPs M. Mutturaj and S. Jahnavi, Additional DC P. Shivaraj and other officials were present.