Madikeri, Oct. 18 -- Thousands of devotees gathered at Talacauvery in Kodagu district last night to witness the annual Cauvery Theerthodbhava, amid the chanting of mantras and the performance of religious rituals. The sacred moment occurred at 7.50 pm in Mesha Lagna at the Brahma Kundike, regarded as the source of River Cauvery, at the foothills of the Brahmagiri range.

As the holy water emerged from the Kundike, devotees raised slogans of "Govinda", "Mother Cauvery", "Jai Cauvery", "Jai Jai Mata Kaveri Mata" and "Cauvery Mathe Ukki Baa".

The traditional Kodava Dudikot Paatt was performed in praise of the Goddess, while the sounds of mantras and the traditional Kodava valaga added to the religious fervour.

A team of Priests, led by Chi...