HASSAN: Goddess Hasanamba temple will be reopened for eight days from Thursday. It will be open for devotees throughout day-and-night except for a two-hour break in the afternoon.Devotees will not be allowed inside the temple on the opening day and the closing day (on October 21) due to continues rituals. The temple will be closed only for two hours between 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm for rituals everyday.
Models of ancient inscriptions highlighting the history of Hassan, found in front of Veerabhadreshwara temple in Kudurugundi of Hassan taluk, and idols of Saptamatrukeyaru, said to be the sisters of Hasanamba, will be displayed on the temple premises. Audio recording of the history of Hasanamba Simhasanapuri [old name of Hassan] will be played at the temple. For the first time, the district authority has stopped distribution of general passes. VIP passes have been distributed only to political leaders including the local MP to take their family members to the temple. There will be no distribution of laddu prasadam for the devotees. The muzarai department will distribute eight types of prasadams including puliyogare, ricebath, payasam and pongal to devotees in Channakeshava temple adjacent to Hasanamba temple. Devotees can purchase laddu prasadam paying `40 at special counters. There will be no special entry for aged people, physically challenged and pregnant women who can enter the temple in general queues.
Over 8 lakh people visited the temple and `2.67 crore was collected in hundi last year. The muzarai department is expecting 9 lakh devotees this year. SP Rahul Kud said 500 police personnel will be deployed at the temple on shift bases.