Hassan: The Hassanamba temple here, which opens its doors to devotees only once a year, will usher them in round- the- clock for a darshan of its deities starting October 13 before it once again closes them at the stroke of midnight on October 20.
While the temple will open at 12 noon on October 12, devotees will not be allowed in until 5 am the following day.
Unlike other temples, which remain open all year round, the Hassanamba temple is open to devotees only briefly once a year, making it a rare place of worship, which draws devotees from far and wide. The practice has been followed for centuries, according to temple sources.
Assistant Commissioner, Nagaraj, who is supervising the arrangements at the temple, says a large number of devotees are expected to descend on it as there are only eight days for darshan.
“So it was decided to allow them in round- the- clock,” he explained. The district authorities have requested the priests to limit the number of abhishekas (bathing of the idols) and naivedyas ( offerings) to make sure there are no long hold-ups in the queue. “There will be a break in the darshan between 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm on all darshan days,” Mr Nagaraj added.
The temple will be illuminated for the occasion and laddus and prasada will be distributed among the devotees. Dignitaries and VIPs are being invited for the darshan of Hassanamba.
