Madikeri (Karnataka), Oct 7 (IANS): Karnataka Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar announced on Tuesday that the state government is seriously mulling over imposing restrictions on people's participation in the 'Theerthodbhava' (gushing of water), which occurs on the 'Tula Sankramana' day.

Speaking to reporters after a high-level meeting of Kodagu district officials and elected representatives to evolve strategies to tackle the pandemic here, Sudhakar said that there is no other option left for the government but to impose restrictions on the participation of devotees in the annual religious event.

It can be recalled that every year, at a pre-determined time in mid-October, water gushes out (Theerthodbhava) from the pond at Talacauvery, the birthplace of river Cauvery, which is considered the holiest place for the Kodavas.

The annual ritual to mark the gushing of water from a spring at Talacauvery draws a large number of devotees from not only Kodagu, but also from different parts of Karnataka and the neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Talacauvery is also a pilgrimage centre for the people of south India, especially those living on the banks of Cauvery. The Kodavas being nature worshippers venerated the river, which they originally called 'Thayoor Pole' (motherland river).

It is believed that Theerthodbhava occurs around the time when the sun enters the zodiacal sign of Libra. The devotees believe that Goddess Cauvery appears at that moment and absolves the sins of all those who bathe in her holy waters.

Talacauvery, the birthplace of the sacred river, is situated on the slopes of Brahmagiri hills in the Western Ghats in Kodagu district. The Brahmagiri hills house some old temples and holy ponds.

Located in the forests, Talacauvery turns auspicious for hundreds of people coming from both Kodagu and neighbouring districts to witness the spectacle.

At the appointed hour, the river rises from a small pond and flows down the slopes. Hundreds of pilgrims jump into the big tank in front of the small pond and take a holy dip.

The minister added that the district was in the green zone earlier, but the mortality rate has increased after the unlock relaxations.

"We had to take decisions like imposing restrictions on Theerthodbhava, in order to ensure that the Dasara celebrations don't lead to widespread transmission," he said.

Sudhakar said that of every 100 people tested for Covid-19, 20 return positive.

"Of the positive cases, nearly 70 per cent are under home isolation but only 30 per cent out of them are being contacted by the health staff. This is something we need rectify," he said.

"Primary and secondary contacts must be traced and tested to control the spread of the virus. Besides this, a death audit should also be conducted every day," Sudhakar said.