Plastic banned; devotees asked to bring steel/ copper pots to collect Holy water

Madikeri:  The Annual Theerthodbhava at Talacauvery in Kodagu district will be held in the intervening night of Oct. 17 and Oct. 18 at 12.59 am as per the Hindu almanac on the Tula Sankramana Day, Karkataka Lagna. Temple authorities told Star of Mysore that this year, the holy occurrence is set to take place in the early hours.

On this day, it is believed that Goddess Cauvery comes in the form of a fountain-head where water gushes out from the ‘Brahmakundike’ at the predetermined time. 

The Kodagu District Administration has made all arrangements to facilitate devotees who come from various parts of the country to be a part of the holy event. Arrangements have been made for devotees at Talacauvery and Bhagamandala. Metal sheets have been mounted at the venue as heavy rains are predicted. 

Plastic bottles, pots banned

Devotees have been asked to bring steel or copper containers instead of plastic bottles or pots for collecting Holy water (Theertha). This year, plastic has been banned in Talacauvery. Usually hundreds of people, holding plastic pots and bottles, rush to the  ‘Brahmakundike’ after taking a dip in the Kalyani to collect the Holy water. 

This year, however, plastic has been banned and devotees will be screened before being allowed to the venue. Holy water would be given only to those who bring steel or copper containers.

Road repairs and parking

The Madikeri-Bhagamandala-Talacauvery Road is being repaired and potholes were covered with bitumen to facilitate smooth movement of traffic. The work on illuminating the area for the festive occasion has been done.

Separate parking arrangement has been made at Talacauvery and the area near the Holy pond was being barricaded to regulate the rush. Two giant LED screens will be put up at the venue to live telecast the event. More than 20 special KSRTC buses will operate between Madikeri and Talacauvery to facilitate transportation of devotees. Certain private organisations and Kodava Samajas too have arranged free buses from Bengaluru and Mysuru.  

Free meals from tonight

Meals will be provided to devotees from tonight. Starting from Cauvery Sankramana, mass feeding will be held for a month. As a precautionary measure, sale of liquor has been banned till 6 am on Oct. 19, within a 20-km limit of Bhagamandala Police Station.

This year, the holy place is set to attract more devotees as the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam is full and the entire Cauvery basin will be benefitted. People from Mandya, Mysuru and parts of Tamil Nadu, who depend on Cauvery water for irrigation, are expected to arrive to witness the special event in large numbers. 

Security/ other facilities

CCTV cameras have been installed in sensitive places and barricades have been put up to avoid rush. Clean drinking water has been arranged near the temple. 

Ambulance and medical personnel will be deployed at Talacauvery to attend to any emergency cases. 

Police security has been tightened. Three Dy.SPs, 8 Inspectors, 15 PSIs, 57 ASIs, 133 Head Constables, 238 Constables, 80 Woman Constables, 150 Home Guard personnel and seven District Armed Reserve platoons will be deployed to maintain security. 

Kodagu District In-charge Minister V. Somanna, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan, Virajpet MLA K. G. Bopaiah, MLCs Sunil Subramani and Veena Achaiah, Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, Superintendent of Police Dr. Suman D. Pennekar and ZP CEO K. Lakshmi Priya will attend the Theerthodbhava.

Big Bazaar, Mysuru

Big Bazaar, one of the leading hypermarket chains from Future Group, is celebrating Tula Sankramana at its JLB Road branch in Mysuru. Goddess Cauvery puja will be organised on Oct. 18 at 11.30 am followed by distribution of Cauvery “Theertha” at the Store premises. 

Cauvery Sankramana at Kodava Samaja, Mysuru 

Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, too will be celebrating Cauvery Sankramana festival at its premises in Vijayanagar 1st Stage  here tomorrow (Oct. 18). 

Kani Puja will be performed at 10.30 am and Holy Water (Theertha) will be distributed to all those present in the celebration. Devotees of Goddess Cauvery are requested to assemble in Kodava Samaja premises at 10.30 am and participate in the celebrations and receive Theertha. For details, contact Kodava Samaja Hon. Secretary Malachira M. Ponnappa on Mob: 98441-38873, according to a press release.