BENGALURU, 20 March

High Court permitted the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to conduct Cauvery Aarti at Sankey Tank on Friday. The Court on Thursday dismissed a petition that sought to halt the event.
It instructed authorities to ensure public order is maintained and regulations protecting water bodies are followed. The government assured the court that there would be no food stalls.
Geetha Misra, who filed a public interest litigation (PIL) against the event, told Salar News, "It is disheartening to see support for such events. Aren’t we responsible for preserving lakes? What are we giving back to nature, and how are those in power allowing such activities?".
Following the court’s ruling, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that it is a government-led initiative and not politically motivated.
However, the decision has sparked criticism from activists and residents who told Salar News that the event will only harm the lake’s already fragile ecosystem.
Longtime resident Sreenivasan questioned the event’s relevance.
“Sankey is a 150-year-old man-made lake, while Vrishabhavathi is an ancient river. There is no link between them,” he said.
According to the BWSSB, Sankey Tank was chosen for the Cauvery aarti as it is considered the birthplace of the Vrishabhavathi River, a tributary of Cauvery.
Lake Conservationist Arvind Malligavad warned that large gatherings could lead to pollution.
Malleswaram resident Preeti Sunderajan argued that resources should be spent on cleaning the polluted Cauvery River instead of hosting this event.
Who approved the event?
Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (KTCDA), responsible for protecting lakes, granted permission for the event—despite Section 12 of the KTCDA Act prohibiting lakes from being used for such events.
The permission letter dated 17 March bans activities harmful to the lake, such as food dumping and loudspeakers without approval from the Pollution Control Board. However, the event still includes rituals, a grand procession, a laser show, and an orchestra with over 10,000 attendees. Attendees will receive water from Bhagamandala, where the Cauvery meets two other rivers, as ‘prasada’.
Sankey Tank, is a haven for flying foxes bats and various bird species such as kingfishers, herons, and migratory birds.