Brahma Rathotsava atop BR Hills on May 6

Mysuru: Amid election fever, the Chamarajanagar district administration has decided to hold the famous Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Brahma Rathotsava and Dodda Jathra on May 6 atop the BR Hills in Yelandur taluk in the district.
Jathra-related rituals and pujas will begin from May 3. The over 500-year-old temple atop the Biligiri Hills attracts a large number of devotees from various parts of the state and neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
For hassle-free traffic movement, the district administration has also decided to restrict the movement of two-wheelers during the rathotsav.
Devotees who are coming on two-wheelers must park their vehicles near the forest department checkpost at Gumballi at the starting point of BR Hills. The forest department has created a temporary parking lot there for two-wheelers. As KSRTC operates special buses at subsidised fare from the checkpost to reach the temple atop the hill, devotees using two-wheelers must catch the buses from the checkpost. Four-wheelers must go up to Maramma temple on BR Hills, and they must also catch buses to reach the temple, said sources.
Executive officer of BR Hills temple Mohankumar said that as per the directions from the district administration, the temple authorities have made all preparations for illumination, besides facilities to keep the temple premises, car street and surroundings clean, ensure adequate toilets and drinking water facilities for the festival. PWD officials have also undertaken minor road repair works like filling potholes, along the road connecting to the temple. One lakh laddus prasadam will be prepared for the celebration.
Speaking to TOI, additional deputy commissioner Katyinidevi said that she had been given directions to both the forest department and temple authorities to crack down on plastic use by shopkeepers and traders during the celebrations as usage of plastic was banned by the district administration at BR Hills at a preliminary meeting held at her office recently.
Instructions have also been given to district health authorities to set up temporary health check-up units atop the hills from May 3 to 6 for devotees. KSRTC divisional controllers have directed use of additional special buses for the festival, said an officer.