Mysore/Mysuru: Despite the ban orders prohibiting entry of devotees and other members of the public to the famed religious shrine Chamundi temple as a COVID-19 precautionary measure, the Hill temple saw a big number of devotees visiting the temple for Sri Chamundeshwari Vardhanti and third Ashada Friday today, as visiting the temple on an Ashada Friday is considered auspicious by many. The rush was all the more unusual today as Chamundi Vardhanti is celebrated on Krishna Paksha’s Revathi Nakshatra day in Ashada.
The rush was also triggered by the visit of a good number of people’s representatives, top officials and locals residing atop Chamundi Hill, with each member of almost every family taking part in the celebration.
The rituals began as early as 4.30 am, with a team of priests led by temple’s Chief Priest Dr. N. Shashishekar Dikshith performing customary and traditional rituals. The deity was decorated with ‘Darbar Alankara’.
The entire temple structure too was specially decorated with flowers and other articles. After the completion of all customary rituals at 7.45 am, the screen at the temple’s sanctum sanctorum was opened for visitors till 9 am. After Mahamangalarathi at 9.15 am, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar along with his wife Trishika Kumari launched ‘Prakarotsava’ in the temple precincts. The ritual was accompanied by ‘Mangalavadya’ and other customary bands and practices. After this, temple door was shut at 10 am.
Former Minister K.S. Eshwarappa, former District Minister S.T. Somashekar’s family, Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda and his family members, MLAs L. Nagendra, Haratalu Halappa, Sharath Bachegowda and Chandrappa were among the prominent people’s representatives at the temple. Former Minister H. Nagesh, former CM Siddharamaiah’s wife Parvathi Siddharamaiah, Actress Tara, Music Director Gurukiran, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bagadi Gautham, Additional DC Dr. B.S. Manjunathaswamy, DCRE SP B.T. Kavitha, Lokayukta SP P.V.Sneha (now under transfer as Belagavi DCP) and a host of other top leaders and officials too took part.
A large number of Policemen were deployed at the road leading to Chamundi Hill and Hill steps.
Meanwhile, a large number of devotees who had come at the foothill were turned away due to the ban order. However, they were seen cursing the authorities for allowing a good number of VIPs, netas and top officials, while at the same time, denying them the privilege.
Even the Gods seem to favor politicians, VIPs and their chelas over common people for granting darshan, very sad.
Wonder when this VIP culture will end?? These so called VIPs are nothing but “public servants” to whom the chamchas in the police bow and scrape and call them VIPs. Before god there are no VIPs & everyone is equal. When there is a blanket ban on allowing people to the hill top, how were these cheap politicians allowed??