Ahead of Mahashivaratri and Ugadi, M.M. Hills to get upgraded facilities for devotees

Ahead of Mahashivaratri and Ugadi, M.M. Hills to get upgraded facilities for devotees

Minister in-charge of Chamarajanagar district and Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture K. Venkatesh has instructed officials to ensure that all essential basic facilities are in place for devotees visiting the renowned religious centre of Male Mahadeshwara (M.M.) Hills during the Mahashivaratri and Ugadi festival fairs.

Mr. Venkatesh, who is also the vice-chairman of the Male Mahadeshwara Swamy Temple Development Authority, instructed officials to make proper arrangements and provide improved infrastructure compared to previous years for pilgrims, as a large turnout of devotees is expected during the festivals.

The Minister was presiding over a preparatory meeting with district officials — held at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on January 27 — regarding the festivals and jathres at M.M. Hills.

According to a press release issued by the Chamarajanagar district administration, the Mahashivaratri fair at the Lord Mahadeshwara temple atop M.M. Hills will be held for five days from February 14 to 18, while the Ugadi fair will take place for four days from March 16 to 19. During these days, various religious rituals will be conducted in honour of Lord Mahadeshwara.

“As a large number of devotees are expected, preparations must be completed in advance to ensure that devotees do not face any inconvenience. Facilities such as drinking water, sanitation, free meals (Dasoha), darshan arrangements, shaded resting areas, toilets and other essential amenities must be provided. Officials must regularly monitor the arrangements to avoid any lapses,” the Minister said.

He directed officials to ensure that continuous Dasoha facilities are provided from 7 a.m. to midnight, and that separate queue arrangements are made for senior citizens for darshan. Adequate drinking water must also be supplied along the entire padayatra route from Kaudalli to the hill, he said.