Preparations on for Kumbha Mela in Mysore

Mysore, Jan 13 (UNI) Preparations were on in full swing for the three-day Maha Kumbha Mela from January 31 at Thiramakoodalu or Dakshin Kashi at the confluence of three rivers - Cauvery, Kapila and Spatik Sarovar (also known as 'Guptagamini' as it was believed to flow beneath the river at the point of confluence) in T.Narasipur taluk in the district.

Works such as cleaning the venue, whitewashing buildings, levelling roads, erecting shelters for residential and commercial purposes, providing drinking water and providing places for bathing and changing clothes have been taken up to ensure smooth conduct of the festival. More than five lakh devotees from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala were expected to take a holy dip.

This was the seventh Kumbha Mela, with the earlier being organised in 1989, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2004.

The organisers were worried that they have been forced to erect pandals for conducting mass prayers not on the usual river bed, but faraway, as the height of the river bed had depleted and the water level was good.

River Cauvery, which had its origin in Brahmagiri hills near Bhagamandala in Kodagu district, joined river Kapila, originating from the Wyanad region of the Western Ghats, at the 'sangama'.

In the late 1980s, when Sri Sivapuri Swamiji of Sri Kailash Ashram and Sri Balagangadhara Swamiji of the Adhichunchanagiri mutt were returning from the Kumbha Mela in Prayag, they had decided to organise a similar event in the South to enable the people living in this part of the country to take part in such a holy event. The idea gained ground with Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur mutt extending support to organise Kumbha Mela in the South once in three years. They selected 'Triveni Sangama', whose historical and religious significance dated back to the 12th century, as the venue.

Mysore district incharge Minister D T Jayakumar, who visited the spot, asked the department concerned to take up repair works of the temples. He would also speak to the Government to make the spot a tourist attraction, he added.

He said the Government had approved to provide Rs 1.38 crore for this year's event and necessary arrangements would be completed before the mela.

Special poojas, spiritual lectures, devotional music, teachings of saints, Daily 'dasoha' and cultural programmes would be the special features of the historical event.

UNI