Mysuru: Thousands of devotees thronged Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill on account of last Ashada Friday this morning. The puja rituals began during the early hours with Mahanyasa Poorvaka Puja, Punyaha, Pushparchane and Mangalarati, prior to the opening of the Temple doors for devotees.

Devotees were seen arriving at the temple as early as 5 am. As private vehicles are banned during the weekend, KSRTC buses to the hill top were arranged from Shashiranjan Grounds near Lalitha Mahal Palace. People were also seen climbing the hill steps to reach the temple. Women were seen applying turmeric and kum kum to the steps to fulfil their vows to the Goddess.  

The hill temple was decorated with variety of flowers including roses, lotus, chrysanthemum of different colours and fruits such as apples, pineapples, green apples, corn among others along with tulasi and mango leaves. Various bhajan troupes were also seen singing devotional songs dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari.

Among the VIPs who visited the hill temple this morning included Union Minster Shobha Karandlaje, former Minister K.S. Eshwarappa, former Minister H.D. Revanna, former MLA Anita Kumaraswamy, former MP Pratap Simha, Telugu actor Sunil among others.

Today, being the last Ashada Friday, people distributed food to people atop the hill and across Mysuru city. Members of various associations had organised distribution of food as part of the celebrations. Shamiyanas were put up and special pujas were offered to the deity before prasadam was distributed among the people.