KRS Hosts Grand ‘Kaveri Aarti’, Blending Devotion, Culture and Light
Mandya: The second edition of the ‘Kaveri Aarti’, modelled on the famous Ganga Aarti of Varanasi, was inaugurated at Brindavan Gardens near the Krishnarajasagara (KRS) Dam, offering a spectacular blend of devotion, cultural performances and illuminated displays.
Held near the boating point within the historic gardens, the ceremony paid tribute to the River Kaveri, regarded as a lifeline of southern Karnataka.
The rituals began at 7.47 pm, even before the formal inauguration of the stage programme. Priests from the Department of Religious Endowments performed the aarti for around 30 minutes, followed by a presentation by a team from Varanasi. The Chief Minister and the district in-charge minister witnessed the proceedings as different groups continued the river worship for more than an hour.
The gardens were decorated with colourful electric lights in view of the Dasara celebrations in Mysuru and Srirangapatna and the Kaveri Aarti festival. Laser displays and high-beam lighting emerged as major attractions for visitors.
The Water Resources Department, Cauvery Irrigation Corporation, Department of Religious Endowments, Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Mandya district administration coordinated arrangements for the event.
Free prasada was distributed to visitors, with distribution scheduled to continue for six more days.
Organisers expect daily tourist arrivals to range from 8,000 to more than 10,000 during the Dasara period. Visitors from different parts of Karnataka, as well as Tamil Nadu and Kerala, can watch the Kaveri Aarti free of charge.
Cultural troupes from across Karnataka presented a variety of traditional art forms, including Nadaswara, Chende, Pooja Kunitha, Bombe Mela, Veeragase performed by women, Kombu-Kahale, Dollu Kunitha, Nandidhwaja Kunitha, Jaggalige Mela, Keelukudure, Kangilu Nritya, Tamate drumming, Kamsale and Goravara Kunitha.
Performances depicting Lord Ganesha, Goddess Chamundeshwari and the Daivaradhana traditions of Tulu Nadu added to the devotional atmosphere.
Organised by the Water Resources Department, the Cauvery Irrigation Corporation and the district administration as part of the 2026 Naadahabba celebrations, the Kaveri Aarti and cultural programmes will be held daily from 6 pm at Brindavan Gardens until October 21.
Prominent religious leaders present included Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji of Suttur Math; Sri Someshwara Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Math; Jagadguru Dr. Nishchalanandanatha Swamiji of Kengeri Vokkaligara Mahasamsthana Math; and Jagadguru Sri Shivanandapuri Swamiji of the Mysuru division of Kaginele Kanaka Gurupeetha.
Ministers P.M. Narendraswamy and Shivalinge Gowda, Rajya Sabha member G.C. Chandrashekhar, MLAs Ramesh Bandisiddegowda, Darshan Puttannaiah and K.M. Uday, Legislative Council members Dinesh Gooligowda and Shivanna, and Cauvery Irrigation Corporation managing director Mahesh were also present.
