Kodava group opposes Cauvery statue project

Madikeri: The river Cauvery is worshipped in the form of holy live water and she should not be in the form of a statue, said some Kodava leaders of the Talacauvery Moola Swaroopa Rakshana Vedike. They expressed opposition to the state government’s project of installing a statue of Goddess Cauvery at KRS Dam premises.
The state government has proposed installing a 125-foot tall statue of Goddess Cauvery near Brindavan Gardens at KRS Dam premises and the government has confirmed that the project will be undertaken by a public-private partnership. The project also includes an artificial lake for boating and a museum, all at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore. The aim is to increase tourist inflow to the spot.

However, the project has not gone down well with the people of Kodagu, especially members of Talacauvery Moola Swaroopa Rakshana Vedike, who said the river is worshipped without any form and the statue would go against that tradition.

“Let the government build any statue and we won’t oppose it. But we’re against installation of the Cauvery statue. Goddess Cauvery is not worshipped in any physical form. Be it at her birthplace Talacauvery or at Tanjavur where she joins the ocean, no statue of the goddess is worshipped. Bringing in a new form for the goddess and installing it to increase tourism goes against the age-old tradition,” said Ulliayada M Poovaiah, office-bearer of the Vedike. He added that the project may eat into acres of farmlands and become a safety threat to KRS dam.

Another member Kokkalera Cariappa said, “The installation of the statue is a disgrace. This project should be withdrawn by the state government immediately.” The organisation sent a memorandum to chief minister and Kodagu district in-charge minister requesting them to stop the project.