Usual sheen of Aadi Perukku missing as Cauvery fails to flow

But this time, the river presented itself as just a wide expanse of dry parched land. They could not take their usual sentimental holy dip but were forced to take a shower through the temporary arrangements made by the civic body. As a result, there was less than 50 per cent footfall compared to last year.

But still a small section of people thronged the Amma Mandapam bathing ghat in Srirangam and placed their offerings on the parched Cauvery and performed their rituals.

“At least the corporation had made some arrangements to observe the event. We hope that by next year, Cauvery would flow to her full potential,” said Mangala Nayagi, an elderly woman.

At Tiruvaiyaru, the festival was celebrated on the banks of Cauvery with water pumped from bore wells sunk in the dry river bed. Similar rituals were conducted on the banks of Grand Anaicut canal (Pudhu Aaru) in Thanjavur near the Big Temple, the Vadavarur in Karanthai area, the Vennaru in Palliagraharam area, the Vettaru in Ammanpettai area, the Kudamuruti in Kandiyur area. In Kumbakonam, the people thronged the Bhagavath ghat, and Chakkara Ghat, though there was no water flowing in the river.