Chikkamagaluru Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagaraj has ordered the closure of all shops and commercial establishments on major roads in the city on December 26, the final day of Datta Jayanti celebrations.
The district administration, in a communiqué to the media on Wednesday, said that the Deputy Commissioner issued such an order to avoid any untoward incidents on the day when 25,000 to 30,000 people are expected to take part in the event. Datta devotees wearing Datta Mala, workers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, seers, politicians and leaders of several pro-Hindu organisations are expected to reach the city and proceed to Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Dargah atop Bababudan Giri on the day.
The devotees, those who come from other places, park their vehicles on M.G. Road, I.G. Road, R.G. Road, and neighbouring roads, and reach the hill stations. Many religious places are located on and around these roads. Earlier there were incidents of assault and attacks on houses in the locality during the event. As there were chances of repeating such incidents this time, the district administration took the decision to close the commercial establishments between 4 a.m. and midnight on December 26.
