Hassan: A sea of devotees were seen visiting the temple to have darshan of the presiding deity Hasanamba on the first day of public darshan on Friday.
As Friday is considered to be auspicious to have darshan of the Goddess, thousands of people from across the state were seen in and around the temple, in Hassan.
People started standing in the queue as early as 3 am for the darshan. While a serpentine queue was witnessed for 'dharma darshan', the line for the special darshan of Rs 1,000 and Rs 300 was also full, extending up to two kilometres.
Over 30 lakh devotees expected in Hassan as Hasanamba Jatra beginsThe long queue did not deter the devotees, who had to stand patiently for hours in queue and had darshan of the goddess.
A woman waiting in the queue for the free darshan, collapsed. The incident occurred at around 12.15 pm. However, the public helped to bring her out of the barricades. The medical team stationed near the temple, immediately attended to her and provided necessary treatment.
Two suspended
Two people, who were deputed on Jatra Mahotsava duty were suspended for misusing the identity cards issued to them. The employees of the Revenue department were suspended by Deputy Commissioner K S Lathakumari, citing dereliction of duty.
Hassan taluk office second division assistant Uday Nagaraj, who was deployed on temple duty, is alleged to have given his identity card to another person. T P Bharath, village administrator of Manakathuru, in Arsikere taluk was also suspended for absenting himself to the duty.
Laddu prasad
District in-charge Minister K M Shivalingegowda was irked after learning that the Laddu at the prasad counter was sold at Rs 100. He immediately called the suppliers and directed that as the price of each laddu was fixed at Rs 56. "It should be sold at Rs 60. Besides, those having darshan on Rs 300 and Rs 1,000 tickets should be given a free laddu," he said.
Ticket sale
As per details available, the temple has earned Rs 1.12 crore through the sales of entrance tickets up to 6 pm, as on October 30. While 2,512 tickets of Rs 300 were sold online, 8,406 tickets were sold at the counters. Similarly, they have sold 2,614 tickets of Rs 1,000 online and 5,334 tickets through counters. In all, it has earned Rs 1,12,23,400, according to a release from the authorities.