Karnataka government to symbolically launch Cauvery Aarti at Srirangapatna on October 3

The Congress government in Karnataka has decided to symbolically launch Cauvery Aarti on the lines of the Ganga Aarti, on October 3, on the first day of the the Dasara celebrations at Srirangapatna in Mandya.

The decision was taken following discussions with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar by a delegation of State Ministers and Congress legislators, led by Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy, that visited Varanasi and Haridwar to study the manner in which the ceremony is performed on the banks of the Ganga.

“We have decided to symbolically conduct the Cauvery Aarti on October 3 at Srirangapatna. After the construction of permanent structures on the banks of the Cauvery, the aarti would be conducted at least five days a week,” said Dinesh Guli Gowda, MLC, who was part of the delegation.

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Mr. Shivakumar told the delegation to submit a comprehensive report on conducting the Cauvery Aarti and its location, which would later transform into a site of religious and cultural tourism. The identified location should be such that it should have the flow of water in the river throughout the year, the MLC said.

The Deputy Chief Minister directed the delegation to include distinctive features of all districts in the Cauvery basin in the report. The Cabinet is expected to take a decision on the release of funds for the construction of structures for conducting the aarti and the permanent location, Mr. Gowda said.

A couple of months ago, Mr. Shivakumar said the State government had proposed to conduct the Cauvery Aarti on the banks the of river which is the lifeline of the people in many parts of southern Karnataka.

Following his instruction, the delegation visited Haridwar and Varanasi on September 20 and 21 and watched the rituals conducted by priests during the Ganga Aarti. Close to 40,000 people attend the Ganga Aarti in Haridwar and Varanasi, the MLC said.

The proposed Cauvery Aarti is expected to not only provide a boost to tourism but also attract the devout in view of the sanctity people attach to the Cauvery.

Published - September 29, 2024 02:39 pm IST