Oct 18, 2008

Lifestyle - India;Cauvery gushes out;lakhs blessed

Preethi Nagaraj


MYSORE: Thousands of devotees thronged at the Talacauvery to witness the water gushing out of a tiny pond, which is believed to be the divine origin of River Cauvery.

The rituals connected with the auspicious Cauvery Theerthodbhava began at 2.42 pm today. Talacauvery is a pilgrimage site set amid Bramahagiri hills in Kodagu. Thousands flock here on Tula Sankrama when the river water, pure and sacred, gushes out like a fountain at a predetermined time. It lasts for a short while.

The event , 'Teerthodbhava', which literally means 'surging of holy water' is deemed as a miracle and is considered holy for Kodavas (people from Kodagu) while Tamils and Keralites also visit the place in large numbers during this occasion. In one of the rare occurrences, this event is happening in the broad daylight this time which otherwise happened late into the night or at pre-dawn.

The river, a bone of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, thus brings together people from all the neighbouring states on this special occasion.

A team of 30 priests conducted the rituals. Police had arranged elaborate security arrangements. As the event is taking place in day time, the number of pilgrims visiting the shrine is expected to cross one lakh, according to Police sources. The pilgrims were seen taking holy dip at Triveni Sangama at Bhagamandala before proceeding to Talacauvery to witness the event. Fortunately no terror fear was palpable throughout the event, and the police too had enjoyed the holi-day.

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