Mandya/Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday launched his dream project, the ‘Cauvery Aarti’ ritual, at the boating point of the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir in Srirangapatna, Mandya district. The symbolic ritual, modeled on iconic riverfront practices like the Ganga Aarti, will continue for five days starting today.
The program began at 6 PM, with the Deputy CM offering floral tributes to the Cauvery River, before local priests trained for the event performed the aarti rituals.
Shivakumar clarified that the initiative was not merely a religious ritual but a symbolic act of respect towards nature.
“Life is sustained by the Sun, Moon, Earth, air, and water. Without water, our very lifeblood cannot flow. The Cauvery is the lifeline for nearly three crore people in Karnataka, and also supports communities in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. Just as we revere our mothers at home, we must honor Cauvery as our life-giving mother,” he said.
The Deputy CM added that the ritual is meant to remind future generations of the river’s importance, much like how Karnataka remembers Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Sir M. Visvesvaraya for their contributions.
“We may not be here forever, but the foundation we lay today will endure. Future generations will carry forward this legacy of reverence for Cauvery,” Shivakumar said.
Several prominent pontiffs, including Siddaganga seer, Nischalananda Swamiji, Chunchunagiri mutt pontiffs, and Somnath Swamiji, participated in the event and lit the ceremonial lamp.
Shivakumar concluded that the Cauvery Aarti represents a fusion of spirituality, culture, and environmental consciousness, offering both a visual spectacle and a cultural message to the people of Karnataka.
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