Chamarajanagar: Thousands of devotees have begun arriving at Male Mahadeshwara Hills for the annual Diwali fair, which commenced on November 6 and will continue until November 10. Many pilgrims from Chamarajanagar, Mysuru, Mandya and Ramanagara are undertaking the journey on foot.
Devotees have been trekking in groups for the past four to five days, chanting “Ughe Madappa” and accompanying their journey with traditional instruments such as tamate drums and kamsale cymbals.
In view of a leopard attack on a pilgrim during an earlier fair, the Forest Department and temple authorities have introduced safety restrictions. Trekking is permitted only between 7am and 4pm. Pilgrims reaching Talabetta after 4pm must halt and resume their journey the following morning.
Eight forest teams have been deployed at Talabetta and Rangaswamy Oddina to monitor movement and create awareness about wildlife safety.
The temple authority has prepared four lakh laddus and arranged priority darshan for pregnant women, persons with disabilities and mothers. KSRTC has deployed 350 buses, with technical teams stationed at Hanur, Kollegala and Male Mahadeshwara Hills.
Two-wheeler movement has been restricted until 6pm on November 10, with parking arranged at Kaudalli. The Maharathotsava will be held on November 10 between 7.30am and 8.40am.
