'Cauvery Aarati' at Sankey Tank on March 21: All you need to know

Bengaluru: The inaugural 'Cauvery Aarati' at Sankey Tank on Friday promises to be a grand spectacle, with authorities making extensive arrangements for the event. 

At least 10,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony aimed at raising awareness about water conservation. 

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, the driving force behind the event, stressed that Cauvery Aarati was a government programme, not a political one. 

"The government has planned Cauvery Aarati along with a water conservation campaign. This is purely a government programme, but some local BJP leaders moved the court against it," he told reporters at Vidhana Soudha. "This is not a political programme. I appeal to the public to participate in large numbers. We need to create awareness about water conservation. 

He further stated: "March 22 is World Water Day, and we are launching a month-long water conservation campaign. Many people misuse drinking water for washing cars and watering plants. We will conduct a pledge-taking ceremony against water wastage. We had previously announced that Cauvery Aarati would be conducted at KRS, and this event at Sankey Tank is part of that plan." 

Shivakumar revealed that Sankey Tank was chosen from several potential locations, noting that it has hosted several public events, including Kannada Rajyotsava and an MLA's birthday celebrations. 

Event schedule

The main event begins at 6 pm, but a series of activities will take place throughout the day, said V Ram Prasath Manohar, Chairman, Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). 

In the morning, Shivakumar, along with Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna, will visit the Triveni Sangama at Bhagamandala (confluence of Cauvery and its tributaries Kannika and Sujyothi) to perform puja. They will then head to Talacauvery, the source of Cauvery, to collect 'kalashas' of water from the three rivers. The kalashas will be brought to the Gangamma Temple, Malleswaram, for homa and puja. 

Around 4 pm, a traditional procession will carry the kalashas and the Gangamma Utsava Murthy to Sankey Tank, where they will be placed on stage. 

Singer Ananya Bhat and her team will play Sugama Sangeetha. Afterwards, Cauvery Aarati will be performed for 45 minutes. Shivakumar will address the public and lead the water conservation pledge. 

"Everyone is welcome. We have arranged seating for 10,000 people," Manohar told DH. "Participants will receive snack boxes containing sacred water and Nandini sweets." 

Guinness record attempt

The BWSSB is also attempting a Guinness Book of World Records for the world's largest pledge campaign on water conservation, according to Manohar. 

Safety and cleanliness

Life jackets, rescue swimmers and rafts will be deployed as safety measures. 

No food will be served inside the premises to prevent littering. More than 200 workers will be deployed to keep the place clean. 

A six-foot buffer zone with police pickets and barricades will separate the the crowd from the lake. 

In addition to the five existing washrooms, 50 mobile toilets will be provided, while three female task forces have been established for hospitality arrangements. 

Parking arrangements

Anita B Haddannavar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic, West), said parking would be available for cars at the Malleswaram 18th Cross ground and Institute of Wood Science and Technology, and for two-wheelers at Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women. No passes will be required. 

Traffic will not be allowed from Bhashyam Circle towards Sankey Road. 

Shuttle bus service

150 shuttle buses will transport participants from parking lots to the venue. 

Security arrangements

Police deployment: 1 DCP, 2 ACPs, 10 inspectors, and 300 other police personnel. 

Plainclothes officers for added security. 

CCTV surveillance and wireless communication for monitoring. 

Entry point security: Frisking and metal detector checks at all entry gates.