A file photo of the Male Mahadeshwaraswamy temple at MM Hills.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar district Shreeroopa, who reviewed preparations for the five-day-long Shivarathri Jatra to be held at Male Mahadeshwara (MM) Hills, visited Basavanakadu area on Saturday (February 7, 2026) to oversee arrangements for the crossing of Cauvery river by the pilgrims.
A large number of devotees from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are expected to reach MM Hills on a padayatra for the Jatra, scheduled to be held from February 14 to 18.
Ms. Shreeroopa and other officials, including Superintendent of Chamarajanagar district police M. Muthuraj, who visited MM Hills to inspect the preparations, reviewed the safety and logistical arrangements along the traditional pilgrimage route.
Multiple teams to ensure pilgrim safety
According to an official statement, the pilgrims will travell via Kanakapura–Ramanagara–Channapatna–Magadi belt, cross the Cauvery River at Sangama, reach Basavanakadu, and proceed through forest stretches covering Ellemala, Shagya, Halagapura, Thomiyarpalya, and D.M. Samudra before reaching the Male Mahadeshwara Temple in Hanur taluk.
With release of water from KRS reservoir presently reduced, instructions were given by the officials to deploy additional personnel at river-crossing points to ensure pilgrim safety.
The Forest Department has been directed to deploy additional patrol teams in forest areas to ensure the safety of pilgrims undertaking the padayatra or journey by foot. Pilgrims have been requested to travel through forest areas only during daylight hours.
Instructions were also issued to deploy emergency medical centres, doctors, and medical staff along the pilgrimage route. Personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Fire and Emergency Services would also be deployed as a precautionary measure.
The Deputy Commissioner has observed that pilgrim turnout could exceed expectations and assured that all safety measures would be taken without disturbing traditional practices of the pilgrims. She appealed to devotees to cooperate with the district administration, police, and forest departments.
Gram Panchayats were instructed to ensure proper arrangements for safe drinking water, lighting, and other basic amenities.
Kollegal Assistant Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Meena, Deputy Conservator of Forests Bhaskar and officials from various departments were present during the inspection.
Published – February 08, 2026 04:01 pm IST
