Water from hills pumped to preserve sacred fish

With the decline in the water-level at Mastyatheertha pond in Thodikana Mallikarjuna Temple, Sullia taluk, the temple authorities had begun pumping water from a hillock in order to maintain optimum water level required for Mahseer fish.

Mahseer fish in the pond are considered sacred and the devotees offer them puffed rice. Due to the blistering heat and fall in water-level, devotees had been asked not to feed the fish in the pond.

The food carried by the devotees would be kept in a drum kept nearby. In fact, the ‘Naivedya’ (food offering) to the deity is first served to the fish in the pond, temple authorities said.

“The hot, dry weather is not just hard on humans, it’s hard on fish, too” said sources in the temple. “Offering food is prohibited in the temple pond during summer to ensure that the fish do not suffer from indigestion. There are hundreds of fish in the Matsyatheertha. With the decline in the water level, many face the threat of dying. The water level in the pond is much better this year as compared to previous years,” sources in the temple added.

A banner has been mounted near the pond appealing devotees not to offer food to the fish.

The banner reads: “Due to decline in the water level, the offering of food to Devara Matsya is prohibited”. Water is supplied from hills located two-kilometre away from the pond via pipeline to ensure that the optimum water required for the fishes is maintained.

According to mythology, the temple was pristine with its river and waterfall. Sage Kanva, who was searching for a place for his penance made this place his home. Legend has it that the Pandavas, during their exile had visited the place. The locals consider the fish in the Mastyatheertha an incarnation of Lord Shiva.