Hassan DC Bans Vehicles To Male Malleshwara Temple Till November 11

The restriction on road access to the Male Malleshwara temple will remain in place through November 11, covering the period of the Hasanamba and Siddeshwaraswamy temple festival and the expected increase in devotees.

Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lata Kumari has banned the movement of all private and tourist vehicles on roads leading to the temple in the Seegegudda reserve forest area of Hassan taluk.

Ban linked to festival footfall

The order was issued on October 24, and the ban is in force from October 25 to November 11.

The Hasanamba and Siddeshwaraswamy temple festival will be held from October 29 to November 11. A large number of devotees is also expected at the Hasanamba temple during the festival.

The order states that visitors who have darshan of the goddess are likely to travel to the hill temple as well. Tourists coming from Belur may also visit the destination.

The temple is located in Seege hobli and has seen a sharp rise in visitors in recent days. The increase followed the success of Premada Ooralli, a Kannada movie that had a portion shot at the destination.

Earlier, about 50 people visited the temple every day, according to the order. The daily number has now increased to more than 5,000.

Narrow road and steep slopes

The village people, the Forest Department, the Superintendent of Police and the Tahsildar of Hassan taluk reported that the road to the temple is very narrow.

The road also has steep slopes and no crash barriers, according to the order.

Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lata Kumari said these conditions make the road unsuitable for the smooth and safe movement of vehicles.

The order was issued under the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 and covers all private and tourist vehicles travelling to the temple.

The ban does not prevent people from reaching the temple on foot. The order states that there will be no restriction on visitors who walk to the place during the period of the vehicle ban.

Source: The Hindu