The annual spectacle of ‘Teertodbhava’, symbolising the emerging of holy water from the ‘Brahmakundike’, a tiny niche at the foothills of the Brahmagiri Hills at Talacauvery in Kodagu, occurred at 12.15 a.m. amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns by priests on Sunday. The Cauvery originates from Talacauvery.
Thousands thronged the spot to catch a glimpse of the occurrence. Many devotees had reached Talacauvery much ahead of the scheduled event. “Everything went off well,” Manu Muthappa, president of the Bhagandeshwara-Talacauvery Temple Management Committee, said.
Devotees streamed into Bhagamandala to take a holy dip at the Triveni Sangama, offer prayers and proceed towards Talacauvery, located about eight km away. The district police had a tough time controlling devotees. Priests sprinkled ‘teertha’ on the devotees as soon as it emerged from the Brahmakundike.
The water is not allowed to overflow from the niche, since it is considered inauspicious.
Distribution of teertha will take place on Sunday evening and Monday morning. The entire area had a festive appearance with people scrambling to carry ‘teertha’ from the birthplace of the river.
There is also a tradition of the devout performing rites in memory of the deceased and adequate arrangements were in place to cater to the devotees. Public representatives, administration and police officers were present.
Several devotees reached Talacauvery ahead of the scheduled event
