Mysuru: Maha-mastakabhisheka of Lord Gommateswara at Shravanabelagola, celebrated once in 12 years, will be conducted from Feb. 7 to Feb.26, 2018.

South Western Railway (SWR) is planning to run additional train services to Shravanabelagola from Bengaluru and Hassan to facilitate pilgrims during the period.

A.K. Gupta, General Manager (GM), SWR, inspected  Hassan and Shravanabelagola Stations on Oct. 13 in connection with preparatory arrangements and to plan necessary amenities for the convenience of the passengers during Mahamastakabhisheka.

He was accompanied by Divisional Railway Managers of Bengaluru and Mysuru R.S. Saxena, Atul Gupta and various Heads of Departments.  

P. Lamghare, Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer, U.S.S. Yadav, Principal Chief Engineer,  Rajeev Kumar, Principal Chief Electrical Engineer, John Prasad, Principal Chief Operations Manager  and K. Siva Prasad, Principal Chief Commercial Manager were present.

A press release from SWR stated that 12 additional services are being planned from Bengaluru and Hassan to Shravanabelagola during the celebrations.

Gupta stated that in 2006 the section from Hassan to Bengaluru having Shravanabelagola Station  was not open for passenger traffic and only few trains were run between Hassan and Shravanabelagola. But this time SWR is gearing up to handle enhanced passenger traffic as this section has been made operational in March this year. Additional temporary booking counters will be opened at Hassan and Shravanabelagola. A temporary PRS will be opened at Shravanabelagola.  Arrangements to erect temporary structures for waiting hall and toilets are being planned.  In addition, a control room will also be opened by Railways at Hassan and Shravanabelagola.  A help desk will also be provided at these stations to facilitate passengers.

Additional stalls for food and beverages will be planned at Hassan. For uninterrupted power supply backup generators are arranged.  CCTV and high speed Wi-Fi at Hassan and Shravanabelagola Stations will be provided.  

The team of officers later met the Seer of Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt and sought his guidance.