Minister for Revenue Krishna Byre Gowda said that the district administration has taken measures to ensure smooth entry of devotees to Hasanamba Temple by streamlining the entry of VIPs and pass holders during the Hasanamba festival, beginning on October 9.
In a press meet in Bengaluru on Monday, Mr. Byre Gowda, who is also Minister in charge of Hassan district, said the number of people visiting the temple during the festival had been increasing year after year. Last year, more than 20 lakh devotees from different parts of the State and outside visited the temple. This time the administration was expecting around 25 lakh.
In view of the inconvenience caused to the public last year, the administration has decided to fix timings for the pass holders and VIPs. Except for the Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and judges, every other VIP had to inform the district administration about the day of visit in advance and reach the Inspection Bungalow (IB), from where the district administration would take them in separate vehicles.
“In past years, the congestion was caused as individual vehicles of the VIPs were allowed up to the temple premises. This time, the administration will take them to the temple in designated vehicles and drop them back at the IB,” he said.
Besides that, as many as 1,000 golden passes, printed separately for each day. Those who possess passes could visit the temple only between 7 a.m and 10 a.m. And the VIPs could visit the temple between 10.30 a.m and 12.30 p.m. “We imposed time restrictions on the pass holders and the VIPs to ensure the public are not made to wait in the queue for long. The temple would be open for the public throughout the day, except for the time when rituals are held,” he said.
The public could visit the temple free or by purchasing tickets worth ₹300 or ₹1,000 each in designated queues. “This time, the administration will introduce cultural events during the festivals. Three stages will be set up the events. One stage is for classical art form, another for folk arts and one more exclusively for the local talents,” the Minister said.
The doors of the historic temple are opened only during the festival. Hence, lakhs of people from different parts visit the temple during this time. The doors of the temple will be opened on October 9 and the festival ends on October 23. The public will not be allowed to enter the temple on the first and the last day.
Elected representatives of Hassan and senior officers were present at the press conference.
Published – October 07, 2025 12:10 am IST
