Come to Tala Cauvery to watch Theertodbhava

The annual ritual when the sun enters the Tula Rashi (Libra) in Talacauvery in Kodagu River Cauvery shows her presence and the water come out of the earth like pure milk. This time the Theertodbhava is on October 17 at around 6.07pm at Mena lagna (Pisces). Do you want to witness the unique transformation of nature and rejoice the atmosphere of Tala Cauvery then visit Kodagu on Oct. 17.

Most of the poets chose Kodagu as their land of inspirations. Kodagu which acquires only 4,100 Sq.ft area has Madikeri and Somavara pete in the north, Virajpet in the south. The district is surrounded by Western Ghats which consists of thousands of wild creatures. The culture, tradition and lifestyle of the people of Kodagu has attracted thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Cauvery Sankramana is one of the festivals celebrated in Kodagu. On this day River Cauvery which people worship as Goddess appear before her devotees in the form of Water (Theertodbhava).  The people of Kodagu dettered by rain, wind and cold get out of their houses and wait for the Goddess Cauvery to show her face.

The story:

Legends goes like this, Seer Kavera worshipped Parabrahma for thousands of year on Brahmagiri. His body starts emanating flames on this time. The flame spreads all the directions and shatters thri lokas (3 worlds). Earth shook, the seers urged Brahma Deva to protect them from the flame.

Brahma Deva comes to earth and applies water on Kavera and asks his purpose of such a complicated penance. Kavera Muni pleads Brahma Deva to grant him children as hasn’t got one. Brahma agrees to his request and blesses him with a daughter named Lopamudre. Kavera muni along with his wife takes the child from Brahma.

Lopamudre was being brought up in Kaveras kuteera (house) as Cauvery. She was blessed by Lord Brahma to become a river to ensure welfare of mankind and the nature. Kavera muni and his wife dies and their soul reaches Swarga (heaven). Lopamudre indulges in Yoga and becomes a river. One fine day Agasthya muni reaches Brahmagiri and receives hospitality from Lopamudre. He was astonished to see  beautiful girl Lopamudre and asks her to marry him. She also agrees to his proposal.  They get married and settles in Brahmagiri.

Cauvery expresses her dream to become a river and asks her husband to bless her. But Agsthya muni denies her request. He tells het that this time it is not possible and some day in the future he will grant her permission to flow like a river. Angered by his decision Cauvery shouts to become a river as soon as Agsthya abandons her. Scared by her words Agsthya locks her in his Kamandala (small jug) forever. 

Agsthya muni handed over the kamandala to his disciples when he went for Sandhyopasana. Cauvery uses this situation to get out of the kamandala and flows down on the earth like a river. Disciples tried to stop her from flowing but she disappeared in the nature. When Agsthya came to know about this Cauvery had fled too far away from him.

As Agasthya muni realized his mistake he blessed Cauvery to flow in the form of river as far as the world remains. At the same time he urged her to become his wife. Cauvery devided herself into two parts and Lopamudre lived with Agsthya muni. The other part Cauvery remained in the form of river.

The celebration:

The day of Theertodbhava is celebrated as a big  feast in Kodagu. The feast is celebrated for three days. First day Botha is layed on the field.  Both is made by bamboo and decorated with flowers. These Bothas are planted on the field. Various flowers are collected on that for Kani Puja. The houses are painted and people get ready to welcome Cauvery.

At least one person in the house attends the Theertodbhava. They take bath in the holy water.

 On the last day of the feast people wake up early in the morning and take bath.

Kani Puja

Kani Puja is the special feature of the day. The elder in the house serves Dosa (pan cake) and Ash guard gravy on Banana leaves and lights a lamp on the edge of the leaf. Applies ghee on Doss and takes it to the field and places it on the three Boths which were prepared earlier and bows their heads.

Later Kani Puja is celebrated. The vegetables are being cut in the shape of Goddess Cauvery. After this beetle leaves are dropped into the well and Ganga Puja is done. They thgen pull the water from the well and bring it to the house. It is because elders say during Thertodbhava the entire well in the vicinity can be seen with bubbles on the water.