Cauvery aarati will reflect traditions of all riparian States: Shivakumar

The Karnataka government is preparing to do the Cauvery aarti programme along with the Dasara this time, which will include programmes to represent cultures of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, announced Deputy Chief Minister and Major and Medium Irrigation Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Speaking in Bengaluru on Saturday, he said the modalities were being worked out. “We have formed a committee under the leadership of BWSSB chief Ram Prasath Manohar. The Deputy Commissioner of Mandya will also be part of this committee. Various departments such as Muzrai, Kannada and Culture, Irrigation, and Tourism will be involved in various aspects of Cauvery aarti,” he said.

Asked about the Finance Department’s recommendation that it would be difficult to finance Cauvery aarti, he said, “The final decision lies with the government, no matter what the recommendations are. The government is committed to starting the Cauvery aarti.”

Responding to a query on whether Cauvery aarti venue would be close to the Krishnaraja Sagar, he said, “This event will be held a little further away from the dam keeping in mind security considerations. The committee will take a final call on the location.”

On whether the team which manages Ganga aarti in Varanasi would handle Cauvery aarti, he said, “It would be handled by a team from the State itself.”