Overview

• Pre-dawn ceremonies at Chamundeshwari Temple included Panchamrutha Abhisheka, Rudrabhisheka, Kumkumarchane and chanting of the Sahasranama before the Utsava Murti was set on the golden palanquin.
• Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and Trishikha Kumari upheld custom by pulling the palanquin’s yoke through the temple compound in a centuries-old ritual.
• The district administration barred private vehicles, deployed extra police patrols and erected barricades at key hill road entrances to streamline security.
• Queues for both free entry and premium tickets were shorter than in previous years, reflecting a change in pilgrim engagement.
• A KSRTC shuttle bus developed engine smoke en route but was quickly extinguished by authorities and passengers were transferred safely to an alternate vehicle.