Lalitha Mahal Grounds unavailable for devotees during Ashada Fridays

Mysuru: The Mysuru District Administration is exploring alternative parking locations for devotees visiting Chamundi Hill during the upcoming sacred Ashada Friday celebrations, as private vehicles will not be allowed to ascend the Hill during the festival period.

The Ashada festivities this year begin with the first Friday celebrations on July 17, followed by other Fridays on July 24 and July 31. Sri Chamundeshwari Vardhanti Mahotsava will be held on Aug. 4, while the final Ashada Friday puja is scheduled for Aug. 7.

For several years, devotees parked their vehicles at Lalitha Mahal Grounds, from where Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority operated free KSRTC bus services to ferry pilgrims to Hilltop.

Private property

However, the erstwhile Mysore royal family of Mysore has fenced the open grounds in front of the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel, asserting ownership of the land and installing signboards declaring it as private property. The move has effectively ruled out the use of the Lalitha Mahal Grounds for festival-related parking and transport arrangements.

Traditionally, during Ashada Fridays, thousands of devotees gather at Chamundi Hill. The administration has relied on the Lalitha Mahal Grounds both for parking devotees’ vehicles and operating free shuttle bus services to the temple.

With that option no longer available, officials are now searching for suitable alternatives. Preliminary discussions have identified Maharaja’s College Grounds and Scouts and Guides Grounds as possible locations for vehicle parking and bus operations. Officials believe both venues have sufficient space to accommodate large numbers of vehicles and support the transport arrangements required during the festival.

A meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner will finalise arrangements, including crowd management, parking facilities, transport services and other festival logistics. “No decision has been taken yet. Discussions are still on,” said M.J. Roopa, Secretary of Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority.