MCC burial ground at the foot of Chamundi Hill replete with sorry state of affairs

By M.B. Pavan Murthy

No water to conduct last rites, two defunct borewells, plastic littered everywhere, liquor packs among types of wastes strewn around and the newly built toilet yet to be opened for use…

This is the sorry state of affairs at Chamundi Betta Burial Ground (Harishchandra Ghat) at the foot of Chamundi Hill, off Mysuru-Nanjangud Road. If one has a curious eye, the lack of basic infrastructural facilities can be seen aplenty to no end, at the last resting place of the dead, coming under the jurisdiction of Ward No-54 and MCC Zone-1 Office.

Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), the custodian of the burial ground has turned a blind eye towards the place which has been neglected for several years.

The borewells have gone defunct, forcing the grieving relatives to fetch water from elsewhere to conduct the funeral rites of their kith and kin. Three shelters have been built for the benefit of bereaved relatives to rest, but nobody dares to take a risk, with unhygienic premises keeping them away due to lack of cleanliness.

With mortals staying away, the flies and mosquitoes swarm these shelters with the lush growth of parthenium to attract them with their nectar.

The dried leaves falling from the trees add to the litter where plastic rules the roost.

Putrefying smell reflects pathetic state

The Under Ground Drainage (UGD) at the main entrance which emanates foul smell gives an inkling of the pathetic state, which aggravates as one moves further to mourn at the comatose state of the Kalyani (pond) which if maintained well may have been a source of water. The water tank is also in shambles with all the seven taps connected to the tank missing.

Most importantly, the burial pits are dug haphazardly, with the teary-eyed relatives forced to look for a final resting place for the dead. The articles brought along with the bodies during the funeral procession are discarded carelessly, which has also added to the waste accumulated at the burial ground.

The name board installed at the main entrance has the name and cell phone number of the watchman. But there is no sight of the watchman, the absence of whom has turned it into a haven for those indulging in vices like drinking liquor and smoking marijuana.

It seems MCC which is used to the ire of citizens who cry hoarse at times but yet continues to be obdurate, may have naturally been ignorant towards the final resting place of the dead for they lay aground without a voice to raise.

Dwelling in toilet

Avinash, a native of Mellalli and a bachelor is doing the job of a grave digger here and has been dwelling in the unused toilet at the burial ground, but has no qualms over the pitiable situation he is living in.

“I joined here in 2006 and returned to my village after working for three to four years, but came back later,” said Avinash who goes on to explain.

When asked why was he living in the toilet, Avinash said, “That was what allotted for my stay. The toilet was built 15 to 20 years ago but was not opened for use. The new toilet has been built, but has been kept locked.”