Madikeri, Oct. 18 (PS&BCT)- Thousands of devotees from Kodagu, Mysuru, Mandya, Bengaluru, Kerala and Tamil Nadu gathered at Talacauvery in Kodagu district yesterday afternoon to witness the auspicious Cauvery Theerthodbhava, amidst chanting of mantras and various religious rituals.

As the sacred emergence occurred during daylight this year, the turnout exceeded expectations, with thousands thronging the holy site.

The sacred event of seeing Goddess Cauvery as ‘Teertha Swaroopini’ took place precisely at 1.44 pm in the auspicious Makara Lagna at the foothills of Brahmagiri, within the revered Brahma Kundike, recognised as the source of the River Cauvery.

Devotees witnessed this celestial moment with chants of victory, Vedic recitations by priestly teams and traditional rituals surrounding the holy spring. The air reverberated with cries of “Jai Jai Mata,” “Kaveri Mata,” and “Govinda,” as thousands hailed the Goddess Cauvery’s manifestation.

Kodava devotees paid respects through their traditional ‘Dudikott Patt’ ritual, while the rhythmic sounds of the ceremonial ‘Valaga’ echoed across the sacred site.

Sacred rituals

Under the leadership of chief priest Prashanth Acharya, priests Gururaj, Raviraj, Sudheer Acharya and Raviraj Acharya conducted a series of afternoon rituals. Following the ‘Sankalpa’ and ‘Kumkuma Archane’, a grand ‘Mangalarathi’ was performed.

As the sacred water was drawn from the Kundike, the first offering was made to Brahma. The holy water was then placed in a silver vessel and carried to the sanctum for the abhisheka of Sri Bhagandeshwara Swamy at Bhagamandala.

The priestly team then performed ‘Samprokshane’, sprinkling holy water on the gathered devotees. To manage the swelling crowds and ensure safety, barricades and Police personnel were deployed around the sacred pond and spring.

As the countdown to the Theerthodbhava began, the number of devotees surged. At the moment of emergence, the crowd surged forward in devotion, many collecting the sacred water in steel vessels they had brought with them.

Traditional padayatra

Office-bearers and members of various Kodava organisations, including the Kodava Pommakkada Koota, participated in a traditional padayatra from Bhagamandala to Talacauvery, carrying ceremonial lamps and dressed in customary attire.

Hundreds of members from groups such as United Kodava Organisation, Kodava Riders Club, Akhila Kodava Samaja Youth Wing and Kodava Makkada Koota joined the procession.

At the Triveni Sangama in Bhagamandala, rituals such as pindapradana, head tonsuring, and other traditional ceremonies were performed.

Special KSRTC bus services were arranged from Bhagamandala to Talacauvery to accommodate the influx.

The Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga provided breakfast and lunch for all devotees, and this service will continue till Oct. 31.

To facilitate viewing of the Theerthodbhava, large LED screens were installed for live broadcast. As the sacred emergence occurred during daylight this year, the turnout exceeded expectations, with thousands thronging the holy site.

A.S. Ponnanna, the Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor and MLA of Virajpet Constituency, offered prayers to Lord Bhagandeshwara at Bhagamandala before walking to Talacauvery, joined by devotees from various parts of the district.