Mysuru/Mandya: The Cauvery Aarti will be held for six days at the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir from October 11 to 16 as part of the Srirangapatna Dasara celebrations, Mandya District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy said.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is scheduled to inaugurate the six-day event on October 11. The programme was introduced at KRS for the first time last year and is being continued to highlight the cultural and traditional significance of the River Cauvery.
Officials asked to ensure smooth arrangements
Cheluvarayaswamy chaired a meeting at Vikas Soudha in Bengaluru to review preparations for this year’s Cauvery Aarti and directed officials to organise the programme in a traditional manner without any shortcomings.
Considering the limited time available, he advised the administration to deploy the same officers and staff who were involved in organising the event last year.
KPTCL Managing Director Ramprasad Manohar, who was in charge of the Cauvery Aarti arrangements last year, has been asked to coordinate with the Mandya Deputy Commissioner for this year’s event.
Officials were also directed to strictly follow protocol and security guidelines and ensure smooth movement of visitors to the venue. Last year’s event was conducted with free entry for visitors.
Free buses, roads and LED screens planned
The minister instructed officials to complete all arrangements well in advance.
These include operating free buses from designated parking areas to KRS, undertaking necessary road works, publicity for the programme, appointment of priests and installation of LED screens.
A grand stage, sound and lighting systems and musical arrangements will also be put in place for the six-day programme.
The meeting also reviewed security arrangements in view of the Chief Minister’s presence. Officials have been instructed to follow the prescribed security protocol while ensuring that arrangements do not inconvenience the public.
Cauvery statue and Varanasi priests
The construction of a statue of Goddess Cauvery and the rituals to be performed during the Aarti were among the other issues discussed at the meeting.
Accommodation and boarding facilities for priests arriving from Varanasi will also be arranged.
The six-day celebrations will feature cultural programmes, music and comedy events alongside the traditional river ritual.
The Cauvery Aarti at KRS was introduced in 2025 along the lines of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi. The inaugural event attracted considerable public and tourist interest during the Dasara season.
Event to continue despite water concerns
Cheluvarayaswamy said the government had decided to continue the Cauvery Aarti despite challenges including drought and the continuing Cauvery water-sharing issue with Tamil Nadu.
He said the event was intended to preserve and promote Karnataka’s cultural and traditional association with the river.
The preparations come amid continuing attention on water availability in the Cauvery basin. Recent reports have noted a decline in the KRS reservoir level and concerns over drinking water requirements for Mysuru, Mandya and Bengaluru.
The administration is therefore preparing the event while continuing to deal with the broader challenges surrounding the Cauvery water system.
Srirangapatna MLA Ramesh Bandi Siddegowda, Religious Endowment Department Commissioner B Sharath, Kannada and Culture Department Secretary N Manjushree, Mandya Deputy Commissioner Dr Kumara and Zilla Panchayat CEO Nandini were among those present at the meeting.