Plans for ‘Kaveri Aarti' Inspired by Ganga Aarti Announced

Bengaluru: In a significant development for cultural and spiritual practices in Karnataka, Agriculture Minister and Chairman of the Kaveri Aarti Study Committee, N. Chaluvarayaswamy, announced plans to conduct a ‘Kaveri Aarti’ for the Kaveri River, modeled after the renowned ‘Ganga Aarti‘ held in Haridwar. This initiative is expected to commence before the upcoming Dussehra festival.

Minister Chaluvarayaswamy made the announcement following his participation in the Ganga Aarti alongside a delegation of MLAs from Old Mysore on Friday evening. He revealed that two to three potential locations for the Kaveri Aarti have already been identified, with plans to construct a dedicated platform at the selected site.

Currently, the Ganga Aarti is performed daily in Haridwar, and discussions are underway regarding the frequency of the Kaveri Aarti in Karnataka, with the possibility of it being held two to three times a week. The final decision will be made after consultations with the committee.

Initially, the Kaveri Aarti will feature sadhus and saints from Haridwar and Varanasi. Over time, local Vedics will be trained to continue the tradition. The Minister also shared insights from a recent consultation with the Haridwar Ganga Mahasabha Committee, emphasizing the historical significance of the Ganga Aarti.

As part of his visit, Minister Chaluvarayaswamy plans to travel to Varanasi on Saturday to witness the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedha Ghat. He will also visit the Vishwanath Temple on Sunday and hold meetings with local officials.

The delegation included prominent figures such as Nitin Gautam, President of Hari Ki Paudi’s Ganga Mahasabha, Maha Mantri Tanmay Vashishtha, and Ganga Seva Minister Ujwal Pandit, who participated in the puja alongside the Karnataka MLAs.

The initiative for the Kaveri Aarti follows requests from local leaders, including MLA Ravi Ganiga, who had previously invited a team of Vedics from Varanasi to perform aarti for Lord Kashi Vishwanath in Budanur village. Vidhan Parishad member Dinesh Gooligowda has also urged the government to implement the Kaveri Aarti program in Mandya district.

This initiative marks a significant step in promoting cultural heritage and spiritual practices in Karnataka, fostering a deeper connection with the revered Kaveri River.