BENGALURU: If things go as per plans, then, the Cauvery aarti (offering gratitude to River Cauvery) planned by the State Government in the lines of Ganga aarti at Varanasi, would be conducted during Dasara festivities, Deputy Chief Minister exuded confidence.
A Committee headed by Minister of Agriculture and Mandya district incharge Cheluvarayaswamy has been asked to prepare a blueprint for the programme and it is expected to prepare the blueprint in about 10-days. Various departments have given their reports on the respective activities during the Cauvry aarti and the suggestions will be incorporated in the final plan. However, the Committee will decide on the number of days to hold the Cauvery aarti.
The proposed Cauvery aarti would be conducted in the vicinity of Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district and as per the idea of the programme, people from Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada, Coastal region, Malnad, Bengaluru, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts will have opportunity to River Cauvery, regarded the lifeline of Karnataka.
“I am keen to launch it this Dasara and hence have formed a committee to prepare the blueprint. Let’s see how fast the committee submits its plans,” he told reporters in Mandya after spot inspection.
“Our Government has decided to allocate Rs 92 crore for the Cauvaery aarti programme and other departments will also chip in to make the programme a grand success,” he said and stated “We are creating seating capacity for about 10,000 people at the venue.
In reply to a question, Shivakumar said, “There will be paid and free entry options. There will be an option for the public to take part in the programme and offer prayers to River Cauvery.”
Shivakumar said 7 firms have evinced interest to develop Brindavan Gardens at KRS reservoir site and the proposals have been discussed. A condition has been put forth to the firms to give priority to locals in employment.
“We have invited tenders to upgrade Brindavan Gardens at KRS and decided to form a Planning Authority including four Panchayats. The Authority will only take care of the planning part and ensure that the proceeds from the upgradation project of Brindavan Gardens are invested back into these Panchayats,’ he said.