The Hindu : Devotees witness Teertodbhava

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 19, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Devotees witness Teertodbhava

By Our Staff Correspondent

TALACAUVERY (KODAGU DT.) Oct. 18. A large number of devotees who converged at Talacauvery, the origin of the Cauvery, on Saturday morning witnessed the annual "Teertodbhava", the emergence of the holy spring from the tiny pond, "Brahma Kundike", at 7.22 a.m.

Amid shouts by devotees and chanting of Vedic hymns by a host of priests, the "Teertodbhava" occurred six minutes ahead of schedule. The noise created by devotees singing in praise of the goddess, Cauvery, who is believed to have emerged in the form of the holy spring, reverberated in the air, shattering the early morning tranquillity at the foothills of the mighty Brahmagiri peak.

The "Bhandara" containing select ornaments of the goddess was brought to the venue from Bhagamandala by a member of the "Deva Takka" (the custodians of the "Bhandara") and the headman, Kodi Motaiah, accompanied by the traditional "Volaga" (music band) earlier. The priests, led by Gopal Achar and Sripathi Achar, performed the "mahamangalarati" just before the "Teertodbhava".

Police personnel deployed at the spot had a tough time controlling the tonsured devotees who broke the cordon to jump into the main tank in front of the "Brahma Kundike" as they surged forward to catch the first glimpse of the "Teerta". Devotees from all parts of the State, and neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andra Pradesh witnessed the event. "Dollu Kunita" and "Pattada Kunita" troupes from Mandya district entertained the visitors in front of the temple's entrance.

Several organisations such as the Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga, Mandya Balaga, Chettiyars, Kodava Samaja, Virajpet, and others distributed food free to the devotees.

At Bhagamandala, a large crowd had gathered to take a holy dip at the "sangama", the confluence of the Cauvery, Kannike, and Sujyoti rivers, on "Tula Sankramana" day. Several stalls were put up in the town, giving it a festive look. Police did their best to control the crowd. A policeman posted at the Talacauvery entrance even refused to allow the official car of the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat President, Papu Sannayya, to proceed towards the shrine. Mr. Sannayya had to walk up to the shrine. He complained to the Kodagu district in-charge Minister, M.M. Nanaiah, following which the policeman was shifted.

The Department of Kannada and Culture had organised a saxophone recital and light music by Chekkera Tyagaraj and party at Talacauvery. The Madikeri station of All India Radio broadcast a live commentary of the "Teertodbhava" proceedings from 7 a.m.

Among those who participated in the event were the Minister of State for Muzrai, Suma Vasant, the Revenue Minister, H.C. Srikantaiah, the Kodagu district in-charge Minister, M.M. Nanaiah, the Minister of State for Infrastructure and Civil Aviation, T. John, the Chairman of Jungle Lodges and Resorts, M.G. Kuttappa, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary, Mittu Chengappa, the Managing Director of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigama, Thimme Gowda, and the President of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academi, Chiriyapanda Raja Nanjappa,

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