State government sources said a traditional Cauvery Aarti is being held for the first time in South India, and will have the historic Krishna Raja Sagara as its backdrop.
Published Sep 26, 2025 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 26, 2025 | 11:00 AM
Brindavan Gardens in Krishna Raja Sagara.
Synopsis: The Karnataka government, on the lines of the Ganga Aarti, is organising a special Cauvery Aarti for the Cauvery River at the Brindavan Gardens in Krishna Raja Sagara for five days.
For the first time in South India, on the lines of the Ganga Aarti, a special Cauvery Aarti will be performed for the Cauvery River at the Brindavan Gardens in Krishna Raja Sagara in the Mandya district of Karnataka for five days starting from Friday, 26 September
Every day, more than 8,000 to 10,000 tourists from different parts of Karnataka and other states are expected to arrive to witness the “Cauvery Aarti.”
Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar has arranged for laddus to be prepared and distributed free of cost to all tourists attending the Cauvery Aarti. All necessary arrangements have been made for the daily distribution of laddus.
Tourists witnessing the Cauvery Aarti will be given these laddus as prasada (offering) of Mother Cauvery.
The Cauvery is considered the lifeline of Karnataka. Thousands of tourists from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and various regions of the state visit Krishna Raja Sagara every day, and arrangements have been made to provide them with laddus on this occasion.
State government sources said a traditional Cauvery Aarti is being held for the first time in South India, and will have the historic Krishna Raja Sagara as its backdrop.
On Friday evening, Shivakumar will formally inaugurate the “Cauvery Aarti” by offering flowers to the Cauvery River according to tradition.
In June this year, Shivakumar had announced that the Karnataka government would organise Cauvery Aarti thrice a week near the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir in Mandya district. Addressing concerns, he assured the event would not harm the dam’s structure.
While some have opposed the initiative, Shivakumar said all stakeholders will be consulted. Emphasising Cauvery’s importance to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, he reiterated the state’s commitment to the Mekedatu project for water security.
On 21 March, the Karnataka government and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) held its first-ever Cauvery Aarti at Sankey Tank in Bengaluru as part of its 60-year celebration.
While the event aimed to honour Cauvery River — the city’s primary water source — environmentalists and citizens raised concerns over its environmental impact and financial implications.
Activists argued that the massive gathering, which generated significant waste, further pollutes an already fragile ecosystem.
Several residents also expressed their frustration, stating that the funds being poured into the aarti could have been better spent on restoring lakes across the city.
At a time when Bengaluru is grappling with severe water shortages and declining groundwater levels, critics argued that public funds should be channelled towards long-term conservation efforts rather than grand religious spectacles.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Nolan Patrick Pinto.)
