Sir,

I am writing to express a concern shared by many devotees regarding the current darshan practices at the Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill. The Temple is a sacred place of worship, and every day, thousands of devotees visit with deep devotion and the hope of receiving a peaceful darshan of the Goddess.

Unfortunately, it is disheartening to see that VIPs are granted direct access to the garbagudi (sanctum sanctorum), while ordinary devotees are made to wait for hours in long queues. Even after such a long wait, once inside the temple, devotees are often rushed and pushed out by the staff managing the crowd.

As a result, many are unable to have a proper darshan. Their time, effort, and spiritual anticipation feel wasted, leaving them disappointed and disheartened. This preferential treatment of VIPs creates a sense of exclusion and unfairness among regular devotees.

I sincerely urge the Temple authorities and concerned officials to address this issue. A more equitable system should be introduced, ensuring that all devotees, regardless of their status, are given equal respect and adequate time to offer their prayers.

One possible solution could be to allocate separate timings or entry arrangements for VIPs, so that the general public’s darshan is not interrupted. Let us ensure that the sanctity of this revered Temple is upheld by treating all devotees with fairness and dignity.

PS: Similar chaos prevails at the famed Srikanteshwaraswamy Temple in Nanjangud, which sees hundreds of devotees daily and thousands on weekends, holidays and festivals.

Two official counters — one for Rs. 50 and another for Rs. 100 — have been set up, and as expected, long queues form at both. However, a group of middlemen operates within the Temple complex, targeting those waiting in line. They approach devotees with offers of ‘direct darshan,’ claiming that the regular queues take over an hour to reach the sanctum sanctorum. For a price, they promise swift access to the deity, often within minutes.

As a result, there are effectively three queues: Rs. 50, Rs. 100, and an unofficial ‘special’ queue for a price!. All three merge near the sanctum, leading to a chaotic crush where devotees are pushed, jostled, and deprived of a peaceful darshan.

This harrowing incident was narrated to me by a relative, who visited Nanjangud along with his family on May 1, 2025.

—Shashank Holla, Law Student, Mysuru, 6.5.2025

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