Devotees in and around Madurai thronged the venue of ‘Vaigai Peruvizha,’ a 12-day event to augment water supply in the Vaigai, here on Wednesday.
The programme organised by Akhila Bharatiya Thuraviyar Sangam began with discourse and bhajans.
Its president Swami Ramanantha said the event, held for the first time, was aimed at ensuring that the river became perennial. The organisation poured water from seven rivers into different pits created on the dry river.
A special day will be dedicated to addressing each stakeholder’s role in protection of the river. “We are going to have meetings for sanyasis, Shaivites, Vaishnavites, farmers, youth, women and people from all religions on different days. We want to protect the river by establishing proper check dams, harvesting rainwater and ensuring that funds are allocated for its maintenance,” he said.
Stakeholders should work towards keeping the river clean by preventing dumping of garbage. Local administration should prevent sewage flow into the river, he said.
The Shendalangara Sampathkumara Ramanuja Jeeyar of Mannargudi said it was not enough if discussion regarding rain was restricted to festivals.
Vizha vice president N. Srinivasan said that Puttu Thoppu, the place where the event is being held, holds an important place in Madurai’s history.
A maha arthi was held in the evening. At least 50 sanyasis were present. An elaborate security arrangment was made.