Mysore: The Chamundi hills and the famous Chamundeswari temple atop it, visited by around 5000 devotees a day, and nearly 20,000 over the weekend, are in for a facelift at a cost of Rs 37 crore.
The district administration has along with the Muzrai department and the Chamundi hills temple authorities decided to utilise the temple fund to give the hills a makeover to cater to the increasing number of tourists and devotees.
On the cards is a Rs 20 crore multi- storied complex complete with a parking space on three levels for two wheelers, four wheelers and heavy vehicles, a 100 commercial stalls, hi-tech bathrooms , cloakrooms and landscaped gardens. Around 2.81 crore has been set aside to acquire eight acres for the complex, according to sources.
Devi kere, the historical pond near the Chamundeswari temple will be illuminated as will the steps leading to it at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. While a similar amount will be spent on polishing the gold plating of the Vimaana Gopura, the shrine of the sanctum sanctorum of the main Chamundeswari temple , the damaged sculptures at the entrance to the shrine and the mahadwara of the temple will be restored at a cost of Rs 50 lakh.
A separate shelter will be built behind the temple for devotees queuing up for darshan and railings installed for their benefit. A chain link mesh costing Rs 15 lakh will be placed around the compound of the temple.
A new administrative block too is in the offing.While the blueprint for the project is ready, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly asked the elected representatives of the district to visit Chamundi hills and finalise the plan so that it can take off in the near future.
