Cauvery Pushkaram: Celebration of rivers

Pushkaram, a celebration of major rivers, happens once in 12 years. The rivers include Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu and Cauvery, and are associated with a zodiac sign each.

Pushkaram, a celebration of major rivers, happens once in 12 years. The rivers include Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu and Cauvery, and are associated with a zodiac sign each. (EPS | M K Ashok Kumar) 

The festival spots are based on the transit of Jupiter. Libra is the zodiac sign for Cauvery. (EPS | M K Ashok Kumar)

The core concept of the festival is to take a holy dip in the river. Devotees came all the way for performing the rituals seeking to get the blessings of the river and their ancestors. (EPS | M K Ashok Kumar)

Tiruchy and Nagapattinam were all set for two-week-long Cauvery Pushkaram, which began on 12th September. (EPS | M K Ashok Kumar)

Though it was widely expected that Mettur dam would be opened or at least the discharge would be stepped up for the event, devotees have to make do with just a shower as they did during Aadi Perukku. (EPS | M K Ashok Kumar)

With no flow in the Cauvery, the district administrations of Tiruchy and Nagapattinam have sunk borewells and set up showers for the purpose. (EPS | M K Ashok Kumar)

In Tiruchy, the Corporation has set up showers at Amma Mandabham, Veereswaram Padithurai and Aasthana Namperumal Mandapam. (EPS | M K Ashok Kumar)

Devotees taking holy bath in a special borewell in the Cauvery river as part of the Cauvery Maha Pushkaram held in Tiruchy. (EPS | M K Ashok Kumar)

It has been expected that around 50,000 devotees will visit Pushkaram venue each day during these two weeks till 23rd September. (EPS | M K Ashok Kumar)