Three-day Kumbhamela begins at Thiramakoodalu

Mysore, Jan 31 (UNI) The three-day Kumbhamela at Thiramakoodalu, popularly known as Dakshin Kashi, began today at the confluence of the three rivers--the Cauvery, Kapila and the Saptika Sarovar with thousands of devotees taking a holy dip.

The event is being organised in the South for the benefit of those unable to travel to the North for the main Kumbha mela Prayag (Allahabad).

Heads of various religious mutts took part in the Kumbhamela which began with special a pooja at the Agastheyeswara temple where ''Shivalinga'', according to the mythology, was made by Saint Agastheyeswara, the Hanumanthaeswara temple and the Gunja Narasimhaswami.

Karnataka Minister for Housing D T Jayakumar, who is also Mysore District in-charge Minister and Minister for Kannada and Culture H S Mahadeva Prasad participated in the pooja.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jayakumar said the government has plans to develop Thiramakoodalu as an important tourist spot.

Reckoned to attract the largest gathering of pilgrims after the Panchalainga darshan that was held at Talakad recently in the district, more than five lakhs people are expected to converge at the temple town for taking holy dip on the Sangama during the Kumbha mela.

Like the Prayag (Allahabad), which is at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi, T Narasipura is at the confluence of three rivers of which Saptika Sarovar, which is called the Guptagamini, is invisible and hence T Narasipura is recokned to be sacred and of profound spiritual importance.

The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the visiting devotees. Cultural programmes and spiritual discourses would be held on the occasion.

On the concluding day on February 2, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa are expected to participate.

UNI