Mysuru: Male Mahadeshwara Temple atop MM Hills in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district witnessed an overwhelming surge of devotees on Sunday as lakhs gathered to celebrate Mahashivaratri with religious fervour.Special pujas commenced in the early hours, and devotees were permitted darshan by dawn. The rituals continued until Monday morning as part of the annual Mahashivaratri Jatra Mahotsava, scheduled to conclude on Feb 18.MM Hills, a prominent pilgrim centre, traditionally attracts huge footfall during the festival. In view of the large turnout and recent safety concerns following a leopard attack on a devotee from Mandya district during padayatra, the district administration and forest department enforced heightened security along the 8-km padayatra stretch from Talabetta to the hill shrine.Seven security teams—one for each kilometre—were deployed along the route. Each team comprised five personnel, including representatives from the police department, anti-poaching camp, and home guards, under the supervision of range forest officers. Teams were equipped with guns, walkie-talkies, torchlights, crackers, machetes and lathis. Additional patrol units led by the deputy range forest officer and forest guards monitored the stretch in vehicles, while the Leopard Task Force from Mysuru and drone surveillance units have intensified vigil.MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary DCF B Bhaskar said that on Day 1 of the 4-day jatra, everything went well. There were no untoward incidents, he said.Meanwhile, thousands of devotees also offered prayers at the Sri Srikanteshwara Temple in Nanjangud.In Mysuru, the Sri Trineshwaraswamy Temple attracted large crowds, with the presiding deity adorned with an 11-kg golden mask. The Sri Vidyanatheshwara Temple in Talakadu in Mysuru district was also flooded with devotees.Major temples across the city witnessed a massive influx of devotees from early morning. The 101 Shivalingas at Gurukula on Ramanuja Road, the Chandramouleshwara Temple, the Amruteshwara Temple, and the Kameshwara–Kameshwari Temple saw heavy footfall throughout the day. Similarly, Shiva temples in Srirampura, including the Mahalingeshwara Temple in Preethi Layout, were thronged by devotees since morning.
