The Chikkamagaluru district administration has barred devotees from trekking up the Deviramma hill at night during this year’s Deviramma Jatra, citing increased safety risks on the steep and slippery route. Darshan will be available on November 7 and 8, with entry timings restricted to help manage crowds and emergency access.
Deputy Commissioner Bhamvar Singh Meena announced the decision after inspecting the hill and reviewing preparations with officials from multiple departments and members of the temple committee. He said arrangements had been made to ensure devotees’ safety and enable smoother darshan during the festival.
According to the district administration, fire and emergency response teams, health officials and police personnel conducted a mock drill along the trekking route. New ropes have been installed at dangerous and slippery sections to assist pilgrims negotiating the climb.
Fire personnel have been provided with head torches, stretchers and harnesses to evacuate devotees in an emergency. A medical team and an ambulance will be stationed at the top of the hill for urgent treatment. Special wireless communication equipment has also been issued to police and health department personnel to improve coordination during the event.
पूजा rituals will begin at 6am on November 7 and conclude at 10am, after which devotees will be allowed to climb the hill. Darshan will be open on November 7 and 8. The administration has said that night trekking will not be permitted because the risk of accidents is higher after dark.
Devotees arriving in the afternoon will be allowed their final entry by 4pm. The restriction is intended to prevent visitors from beginning the climb too late, when visibility and movement along hazardous sections may become more difficult. The district administration, taluk administration and temple committee have asked the public and devotees to cooperate with the safety measures.
The inspection and preparations were attended by Superintendent of Police Jitender Kumar Dayama, Additional Superintendent of Police C.T. Jayakumar, Chikkamagaluru Sub-Divisional Officer Pururaj Singh Solanki, tahsildars, Reshma Shetty, other department officials and temple committee president Kulashekar, along with committee members. The administration’s next operational milestone is the start of the पूजा rituals and regulated hill access on November 7.
