Date:04/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120450890200.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

Devotees throng Siddalingapura temple

Staff Correspondent

The police made elaborate security arrangements

— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Seeking blessings: Devotees offering puja near the Subramanyeshwaraswamy Temple at Siddalingapura on Wednesday.

MYSORE: Thousands of devotees on Wednesday thronged the famous Sri Subramanyeshwaraswamy Temple at Siddalingapura on Bangalore-Mysore Highway, about 10 km from Mysore, on the occasion of “Subramanya Shashti.”

With puja rituals beginning in the early hours of Wednesday, the temple was opened for devotees at 2.30 a.m. The idol of Lord Subramanyeshwara was decorated with flowers.

There was a long queue of devotees, especially women and children, to have the “darshan” of the deity.

Also, women were seen worshipping the anthills near the temple.

They poured milk, sprinkled turmeric and vermillion along with flowers on the anthills.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation operated special buses between Mysore and Mandya.

In view of congregation of a big number of devotees, the police had made elaborate security arrangements and the traffic police were seen regulating vehicular traffic.

The authorities had diverted vehicles coming from Mysore city in view of the festival.

However, the vehicles coming from Bangalore had not been restricted since traffic was allowed on one side of the highway.

The vehicles proceeding towards places such as Mandya, Ramanagara and Bangalore from Mysore were diverted through the Krishnaraja Sagar Road.