Soaring temperatures prompt change in Anjanadri Hill temple timings

Koppal: Due to the rising temperatures in Koppal district, the deputy commissioner, Suresh B Itnal, has ordered a change in the visiting hours for devotees coming to the Sri Anjaneyaswamy Temple at Anjanadri Hill in Chikkarampur village, Gangavathi taluk, for the health and safety of the devotees.Itnal said in a press release that devotees from Koppal and other districts and states visit the Sri Anjaneyaswamy Temple located at Anjanadri Hill in the jurisdiction of Gangavathi Rural police station. "A large number of devotees visit, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. In the past 2-3 months, two devotees, Jayesh Suresh Yadav, 17, from Hulagi, and Arjun Bhai Ramajibhai, 54, from Padana, Gujarat, experienced breathing difficulties and passed away after climbing the 575 steps of the temple. Additionally, on April 1, around 1pm, a devotee who came to the Anjaneya Temple collapsed and died due to the heat while sitting inside the sanctum. The deceased was identified as Krishna Rajap GS, 57, a resident of Gulladalli village, Harihar taluk, Davanagere district. He climbed the temple steps during the afternoon and faced breathing issues inside the temple, leading to his death," he added.He further said, "During April and May, the intense heat around the Anjanadri Temple, surrounded by rocks and stones, can adversely affect the health of devotees. The devotees, after climbing approximately 575 steps in sweltering heat may become exhausted and face breathing difficulties, increasing the risk of collapse. Therefore, the superintendent of police has requested a ban on devotees climbing the temple steps for darshan between 11am and 4pm. District health and family welfare officials have also requested a ban on devotees climbing the temple steps for darshan between said time for health reasons. Hence, devotees visiting the temple at Anjanadri Hill are prohibited from climbing the temple steps for darshan between 11am and 4pm in April and May. Devotees can visit the temple between 6am & 11am and 4pm & 6pm."