MM hills to be developed on the lines of Tirupati

Male Mahadeshwara Hills in Kollegala Taluk, Chamarajanagar District to become another important pilgrim shrine in the South. To attract more number of devotees from across country, the temple being modernised by the Male Mahadeshwara Temple Development Authority (MMTDA) on the lines Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

The temple authorities have visited Shirdi, Tirupathi and a couple of other prominent temples in neighbouring States, to study the management techniques and infrastructure employed there. Some of attractive and innovative ideals will be implemented at MM Hills to improve the infrastructure and make it more tourist friendly.

The Authority to develop install Solar Power Plant, 100 feet statue of Mahadeshwara, Wireless high resolution CCTV cameras, parking facility, beautiful garden and much more. Antaragange, where devotees take holy dip will be developed on the lines of Tirupathi Kalyani at the Cost of Rs 4.75 crores. Toilets, Drinking water and other basic facility have been provided.

Around 7,000 devotees visit daily and on special occasion devotees throng in large to the hill shrine. The temple remains open between 3 am and 10 pm. For security purpose 12 high resolution HD wireless CCTV cameras, similar to the ones used by the Defence have been installed at different locations at a cost of Rs 89 lakhs. It is being installed for the first time in the State for the shrine, claims Authority. The camera covers 360 degree radius with zooming for a kilo meter, which helps to capture the vehicle numbers and movements easily.

In all there are 77 hill shrines in the region covered by deciduous forest, of which seven are major ones. One can enter the hill shrine through Kollegal Gate or Palar Gate and four cameras have been installed in the place. While others have been installed at prominent places.

A solar power plant to generate one Mega Watt of power will be installed spread across five acres of land. The temple requirement is 0.7 mega watt and, the excess 0.3 mega watt of power generated will be sold to KPTCL. The survey of the project has been completed and works will be taken up at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

This apart, a statue of 100 feet Lord Mahadeshwara will be placed at Deepada Vaddu located at a distance of two kilometers from the main temple. Artistes from Gadag will sculpt the statue. Garden, meditation hall, parking lot and other basic facilities will be provided all spread across 40 acres of land in the hill. Foundation stone will be laid next month, and will be a another tourist destination for those visit the hill.

Manuwacharya, Assistant Engineer of Authority said: “Following threat from the terrorists, Police Department had instructed to install cameras in a month, and we have placed 12 cameras. Several development works have been planned and works will commence by next month.”

"Rangamandira will be constructed at the cost of Rs 4.50 crores and Waste Disposal Unit, at the cost of Rs 40 lakh. The revenue generated from the temple is Rs 57 crores," he added.