Mysuru, 1 July

The State government has introduced a Rs 2,000 special darshan ticket for devotees visiting the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills during the Ashada Fridays, replacing the earlier Rs 300 ticket to regulate the heavy rush. Mysuru district in-charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah said over 2 lakh devotees are expected every Friday and weekend between 17 July and 7 August. Yathindra said VVIPs will be allowed to take darshan only between 5.30am to 10.30am to manage the crowd.

All arrangements will also be made for devotees to take free darshan. Police were instructed to ban all private vehicles to prevent traffic jams on Fridays and weekends.

Instead, authorities will extended free KSRTC bus services. The four Ashada Fridays fall on 17, 24, 31 July and 7 August, while Chamundeshwari Vardhanotsava will be celebrated on 4 August.