Rs. 300 darshan ticket scrapped; VIP access restricted from 5.30 am to 9.30 am; No private vehicles or any recommendation letters; Vehicle parking at Shashiranjan Grounds; Free bus service for Hill-goers
Mysuru: With the annual Ashada festivities at Chamundi Hill set to begin on July 17, the Mysuru District Administration has banned private vehicles from the Hill on Ashada Fridays and Vardhanti day, while making it clear that recommendation letters will not secure special privileges for devotees.
The first Ashada Friday falls on July 17, followed by celebrations on July 24 and July 31. The Sri Chamundeshwari Vardhanti Mahotsava will be observed on Aug. 4, while the final Ashada Friday puja will be held on Aug. 7.
The decisions were taken at a preparatory meeting chaired by Mysuru District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah atop Chamundi Hill this morning. The Minister offered prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari during his first visit to the temple after assuming office.
Reviewing the arrangements, Dr. Yathindra directed officials to ensure smooth crowd management, adequate parking, seamless darshan and basic amenities, as lakhs of devotees are expected to visit the shrine.
Speaking to reporters, the Minister said, elaborate arrangements have been finalised to facilitate hassle-free darshan.
Vehicle parking at Shashiranjan Grounds
No private vehicles will be allowed up the Hill on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during Ashada festival period. The restriction will apply even to those carrying recommendation letters.
Devotees arriving in private vehicles must park them at Shashiranjan Grounds, from where KSRTC shuttle buses will operate to the Hilltop. Only protocol vehicles will be exempt.
To streamline darshan, VIP access will be restricted from 5.30 am to 9.30 am. Outside these hours, VIPs will have to join general queue. Officials also announced changes to paid darshan system. Rs. 300 special entry ticket has been withdrawn while Rs. 2,000 ticket will continue. Ticket holders will be provided AC bus transport, a dedicated darshan queue, drinking water and a kit containing an idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari.
Better queue management
Prasada distributed by private organisations will be handed out only at Shashiranjan Grounds and not on the Hilltop. Arrangements have been made for queue management, drinking water, sanitation, medical assistance and resting points for devotees climbing the steps. Milk and biscuits will also be provided to pilgrims using the steps.
Officials said, repairs to steps and barricading have been completed and CCTV cameras installed to strengthen surveillance.
Unlike previous years, there will be no separate queue for women, as women devotees are expected to outnumber men during the Ashada Fridays. Adequate arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth movement of all devotees.
Emphasising that devotees would be given priority, Dr. Yathindra said, recommendation letters would not be entertained and the revised arrangements are aimed at preventing the overcrowding witnessed last year.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Zilla Panchayat CEO Ukesh Kumar, Chamundi Hill Development Authority Secretary M.J. Roopa, MCC Commissioner Shaikh Tanveer Asif, DCPs Dr. Harsha Priyamvada and K.S. Sundar Raj, besides officials from the Transport and Health Departments.
This post was published on July 1, 2026 7:30 pm