A sea of devotees thronged Chamundi Hills on the first Ashada Friday to offer prayers at the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple.

The temple was beautifully decorated with flowers for the occasion, while the district administration had made elaborate arrangements to manage the huge influx of devotees from Mysuru and neighbouring districts.

The temple opened for devotees at 5.30 a.m. after the completion of special rituals to Goddess Chamundeshwari. Thousands of devotees began arriving in the early hours to complete darshan before the rush peaked.

As private vehicles were barred from ascending Chamundi Hills during Ashada Fridays, KSRTC operated special buses from a makeshift bus stand at the foothills near the Lalitha Mahal Palace. Devotees started queuing at the bus stand before dawn to reach the temple early. Separate parking facilities were provided at the foothills for private vehicles.

The entry of private vehicles to the hill remains prohibited on all Ashada Fridays and weekends during the festival season, with exceptions made only for authorised and VIP vehicles.

Elaborate security arrangements, including CCTV surveillance across the hill, were put in place to ensure smooth crowd management.

Unlike last year, the temple administration has discontinued the ₹300 special darshan ticket. This year, the Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority has introduced a ₹2,000 special darshan ticket. Special darshan ticket holders were transported to the temple in air-conditioned buses from the foothill bus stand.

A total of 70 special buses, including 20 air-conditioned buses, were deployed to ferry devotees to the hill throughout the day. The regular buses ferried devotees who opted for free darshan.

Apart from using the bus service, a large number of devotees also climbed the steps leading to the temple as an act of devotion. Among the prominent visitors was the wife of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who offered special prayers at the temple.

Mysuru district in-charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLAs G.T. Deve Gowda and Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, along with several other elected representatives, also visited the temple.