From September 26 to 30, the sacred ‘Cauvery Aarti’ at Brindavan Gardens, Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS), mesmerized millions of devotees and tourists alike. This spiritual ceremony, beautifully fusing North and South Indian traditions, garnered widespread acclaim, captivating visitors from across Karnataka and drawing national and international attention.
For countless attendees, this ‘Cauvery Aarti’ offered a profoundly moving experience, reminiscent of the famed Ganga Aarti in Varanasi. Many, having never witnessed the latter, found themselves deeply touched as they offered heartfelt prayers to the revered river.
Organizers reported an overwhelming response, with numerous participants advocating for the ritual to become a weekly affair, rather than being limited solely to the annual Dasara celebrations.
Officials lauded the event as a significant ‘milestone’ in Karnataka’s rich cultural and religious narrative. They noted that the aarti has brought a fresh vibrancy to the iconic KRS, significantly boosting tourism and creating an excellent platform to exhibit Mandya’s unique art and heritage through captivating cultural performances.
This five-day spectacle led to an unprecedented surge in tourist numbers, resulting in a thriving business period for local traders. The government’s thoughtful decision to waive both vehicle toll fees and Brindavan Gardens’ entry charges played a crucial role in encouraging this record attendance, with local businesses reporting a substantial boost in sales since the aarti commenced.
In a press release, organizers highlighted the community’s appreciation, particularly from the people of Mandya, who emphasized that river worship needs no external approval. Many residents expressed that the aarti served as a beautiful and appropriate homage to the Cauvery, the lifeline that provides essential drinking water and irrigation, sustaining their very existence.
Srirangapatna MLA Ramesh Babu Bandisidde Gowda remarked, ‘Farmers, women, and citizens from Mandya district, the river basin, and indeed, from all corners of the State, participated in this profound worship dedicated to Mother Cauvery. The ‘pooja’ is being performed with the sincere prayer and belief that there will never be a scarcity of water for either drinking or irrigation.’
Jayant, Executive Engineer of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam, KRS, confirmed the significant impact: ‘Since the inauguration of the Cauvery Aarti, tourist numbers at KRS have soared dramatically. We are now welcoming over 25,000 visitors every day, all eager to experience the majestic aarti and the dazzling illumination of the dam.’