Madikeri, Oct 18 (DHNS) : Thousands of devotees witnessed Cauvery Theerthodbhava, which occurred a minute late than the scheduled time, at Talacauvery, the origin of River Cauvery, on Thursday.
Theerthodbhava was expected to occur at 12.01 pm, but occurred at 12.02 pm.
Religious rituals were performed from morning, under the leadership of priest Ananthesha Kedilaya from Dakshina Kannada district. The priests continously chanted Mantras sitting in a row near Cauvery Brahmakundike. They sprinkled holy water on devotees, soon after Theerthodbhava occurred. Devotees arrived with cans, pots, tins and bottles to fill the holy water. A few of them jumped into the stream near the Kundike and had holy bath.
Apart from the devotees from Kodagu district, a large number of devotees arrived from across the State and neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Several devotees took shelter at Bhagamandala and surrounding places on the previous night. Pinda Pradhana (offering respects to departed souls), Kesha Mudi (offering hair) were offered in the morning at Triveni Sangama, where River Cauvery, Kannika and Sujyothi join in Bhagamandala. The devotees reached Talacauvery after seeking blessings in Bhagandeshwara.
Temple management committee offered meals (Annasantharpane) to devotees at Anna Chatra in temple premises. Chettiyar family from Tamil Nadu arranged food for devotees at Kashi Mutt. Drinking water facilities were provided to the devotees in all the places.
The department of Kannada and culture had organised musical concerts at the stage near Brahma Kundike. Padmanabh and team from Melukote recited Nadaswara, Nirmala Bopanna from Ninada in Ponnampet and Akashavani artiste P A Ganesh rendered devotional songs on the occasion.
Over 800 police were deployed at Bhagamandala and Talacauvery to maintain law and order and avoid any incidents in the venue. Police team led by Superintendent of Police M N Anucheth provided tight police security in both the places. MLA K G Bopaiah, MP H Vishwanath, Bhagandeshwara-Talacauvery Temple Management Committee President Manumutthappa, Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tiwari and others were present.