RELIGIOUS FERVOUR:A large number of people took part in the rathothsava of Goddess Chamundeshwari on Chamundi Hillsin Mysore on Thursday.

Mysore, October 18, 2013: Chamundi Hills, which witnessed a large crowd during the Dasara festivities, came alive again as the Chamundeshwari Rathotsava was held on Thursday.

Witnessed by thousands of devotees from Mysore and surrounding areas, the hill shrine was packed with people since the crack of dawn. The archaks built up the momentum by chanting hymns and conducting special pujas.

The scion of the royal family Srikantadutta Narasimharaja Wadiyar and his wife, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, participated in the chariot festival.

The idol of the Goddess, which was adorned with jewels and flowers, was placed inside the ratha pulled by devotees around the temple.

Commissioner of Police M.A. Saleem supervised the security and parking arrangements.

Chamundeshwari constituency MLA G.T. Deve Gowda and other elected representatives were present.

The KSRTC operated special services to cope with the rush.

Source: The Hindu, October 18, 2013