Sir,

First and foremost, I would like to convey my appreciation to the Mandya District Administration for the arrangements made during the recently concluded Vairamudi Utsava at Melukote. Lord Cheluvanarayanaswamy seated majestically with his consorts on Garudalvar transported us to a different world altogether.

However, here are some suggestions for improving the convenience of devotees.

Given the number of entry roads to Melukote and the significant influx of vehicles entering the town, there are numerous car and scooter parks in different locations. However, in the late hours past 10 pm – 12 am, many visitors struggle to locate their parked vehicles and find themselves disoriented.

To address this issue, I propose implementing a system of parking slot numbering similar to that of shopping malls. Each parking area should be assigned distinctive numbers for easy identification. Additionally, directional signboards indicating the parking slots, such as “Slot 1 – Road leading to KR Pet,” should be installed.

Most of the vehicle parking is situated far from the Temple premises, which poses a challenge, especially for seniors aged 70-75 years and above. These individuals often have to walk several kilometres to reach the Temple, which can be extremely strenuous given the mild incline. To alleviate this difficulty, I suggest that the district authorities consider operating shared autos or buggies to transport elderly visitors at least halfway to the temple complex.

The pathway surrounding the Temple is narrow, and during peak times, thousands of devotees push and squeeze to catch a glimpse of the deity. On one side of the pathway, there are open gutters, which pose a safety hazard as people may inadvertently fall.

To prevent accidents and ensure the safety of devotees, it is imperative to close these open drains. Additionally, awareness efforts should be undertaken to inform visitors about the presence of these open drains to mitigate the risk of accidents.

– V.N. Choodamani, Mysuru, 24.3.2024

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