Hanuma Mala Visarjana concludes at Anjanadri as thousands of devotees participate

The two-day Hanuma Mala Visarjana at Anjanadri Hills, revered as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, concluded on Wednesday with thousands of devotees performing the traditional ritual. The event, which began on Tuesday, saw a massive turnout of Hanuma Mala bearers from across the country.

From early Wednesday morning, devotees were seen taking a holy dip and proceeding towards the hilltop shrine chanting “Sri Ram Jaya Ram” and “Pavanasuta Anjaneya Jai”. Long queues formed at the foothills and along the steps, as devotees waited patiently for the darshan of Lord Anjaneya. Many devotees travelled in groups on foot, while others arrived in two-wheelers, four-wheelers, buses and other vehicles.

The district administration had made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the event. Health teams were stationed at intervals along the steps as a precaution. Prasada was served on the premises of the Veda Pathashala, where devotees were provided wheat huggi, rice, sambar and tomato chutney. Multiple counters were opened to prevent crowding and ensure quick service.

Traffic regulations were strictly enforced, and pre-designated parking areas helped avoid congestion. Officials from various departments, including police, revenue and health, were deployed to oversee operations. Deputy Commissioners inspected the arrangements at regular intervals, ensuring that all committees functioned effectively.

The hill shrine and its surroundings were decorated with flowers and vibrant lighting, which illuminated Anjanadri in multiple colours after dusk. Loudspeakers were installed across a two-kilometre radius to facilitate continuous chanting of Rama nama. This year, the event also stood out for its environmentally conscious measures, including the complete prohibition of plastic.

Temporary tents and resting points were set up along the route for devotees arriving on foot. Several villages arranged annaprasada for pilgrims. Local bodies deployed sanitation teams to maintain cleanliness throughout the route. CCTV cameras were installed at key locations to strengthen security and crowd monitoring.

Expecting a heavy influx of devotees, the district administration ensured all necessary facilities — drinking water, bathing spaces, parking, prasada counters, transportation, helplines, medical units and police deployment. The Koppal district police had also launched a dedicated “Hanuma Mala Route Map–2025” website, providing real-time information to the public.

The successful conduct of the ritual over two days was attributed to the collective efforts of Ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs and other public representatives. District officials, including Deputy Commissioner Suresh B. Itnal, ZP CEO Varnit Negi, Superintendent of Police Ram L. Arasidddi, Additional DC Sidhrameshwara, Koppal Sub-Divisional Officer Capt. Mahesh Malagitti and members of various committees, continuously monitored arrangements at Anjanadri Hills, ensuring that the Hanuma Mala Visarjana was concluded peacefully and efficiently.