Enhanced Security Measures Implemented at MM Hills for Mahashivaratri Pilgrimage
In response to a tragic leopard attack that claimed the life of a devotee last month, the forest department in Mysuru has significantly strengthened safety arrangements for the upcoming Mahashivaratri jatra at MM Hills. The five-day religious event, set to commence on February 14, will see the introduction of advanced drone surveillance to monitor both wildlife activity and pilgrim movements along the forested routes.
Comprehensive Safety Teams and Restricted Timings
A total of eight specialized teams, comprising forest guards, police constables, and home guards, have been constituted to oversee the safety of devotees climbing the hill shrine. In a decisive move, the district administration has imposed a strict ban on night-time padayatra this year. Devotees will only be permitted to undertake the sacred walk between 7:00 AM and 5:30 PM, starting from Thaalabetta.
With pilgrims already beginning to arrive from various parts of Karnataka, including Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagar, Kanakapura, and Bengaluru since February 7, the forest department has proactively deployed monitoring teams across the hills. These teams are tasked with ensuring orderly movement and immediate assistance along the forest routes.
Annual Pilgrimage and Multi-State Devotee Influx
Every year, lakhs of devotees converge at MM Hills through padayatra to perform special puja and seva during the Mahashivaratri jatra. This annual influx includes a significant number of pilgrims from neighboring states such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala. To manage this large-scale event safely, the forest department has assigned a dedicated team for every one kilometer of forest routes to provide guidance and support to the devotees.
Additional Precautions for Summer Season
As summer conditions set in, the authorities have formed special teams to prevent and control potential forest fires that could be accidentally triggered along the routes to the hill shrine within the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. This initiative is in addition to the primary focus on devotee safety.
Loudspeakers have been installed at Thaalabetta to broadcast essential safety advisories. Devotees are being urged to travel in groups on forest routes, utilize main roads instead of climbing steps, avoid isolated stairways, and remain in groups even during personal breaks.
Official Statements and Coordinated Efforts
B Bhaskar, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) for MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, confirmed that comprehensive precautions, including the drone surveillance system, will be operational from February 7 to February 20. This extended period is designed to closely monitor both the devotees and the local wildlife to prevent any untoward incidents.
AE Ragu, the executive secretary of the Srikshetra MM Hills Development Authority, highlighted the coordinated efforts with the forest and police departments. Temporary shelters and shaded areas have been arranged at Thaalabetta for devotees who need to halt overnight, with strict enforcement that climbing is allowed only during the permitted daytime hours.
