MANGALURU/UDUPI: It is summer vacation for schools and colleges and the temples here are seeing an increase in footfall, but the water levels in the rivers and wells are depleting fast.
Three temples definitely are nervously watching their water sources. While the Kukke Subramanya temple, the richest among government-controlled temples in the state, is wondering how to maintain the supply of its bottled theertha (holy water) to the devotees, the Sri Krishna temple in Udupi and Durgaparameshwari temple in Kateel in Mangaluru taluk have begun using tanker water for regular use.
At Kukke Subramanya temple, though the river Kumaradhara is flowing much below the normal levels, the water there is just enough to cater to the needs of the temple for two more weeks.
“The temple sees a daily footfall of around 12,000, and we are still able to feed water to nine lodges, cottages, choultries and to the dining halls and for other domestic purposes. But we did see water shortage in the protected well inside the temple. The water from this ‘Theertha Bhavi’ (well) had reached below normal levels for this point of time in summer. We still have water for all needs inside the sanctum sanctorum,” said Executive Officer of the temple C V Poovappa.
“The devotees will not have any problems regarding water except that we have discontinued the sale of bottled theertha for the time being,” Poovappa told Express.
Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple in Mangaluru taluk is built over the Nandini river. It is picturesque during the monsoons as the river flows by the side of the temple and disappears under the bridge of the temple.
“There are wells inside the temple and around it. The wells have water, but that is enough only for the regular functions. In case there is a utsav or a large gathering, we still have to depend on tanker water,” said Gokuldas Nayak, Chief Executive Officer of the temple.
The Sri Krishna teample in Udupi is also a victim of the ‘drought-like’ summer to some extent. If not for rituals or kitchen use, the mutt authorities have called on tankers to fetch water for cleaning vessels and washing hands.
The temple has been depending on tanker water supply since January itself, starting with three tankers a day.
In April, six tankers of water are needed every day, said Raghuram Acharya, Diwan of Paryaya Sri Pejawar Mutt.
Usually about 5,000 devotees have lunch at the Bhojana Shaala (dining hall). Now the number has increased to 10,000. Water availability in the Mutt’s well is sufficient, he said and added that water for dining and ritual purposes is sufficient till May-end.
At the Mookambika Temple in Kollur, there is sufficient water in one well according to the temple authorities. The Sauparnika river has never dried up and this time too, it has water, they said.