Sullia: Mahseer fish have been the major centre of attraction at the Matsya Theertha river of Sri Mallikarjun Temple at Thodikana here. The beautiful fish often fight for survival during the summer season as the river That they live in starts shrinking. Every year, the temple authorities find it to be a challenge to keep the fish alive. Over the last three years, the temple management has been supplying fresh water to ensure that the fish do not perish. The dam in which the Mahsheer are found are fitted with pipes, through which water is pumped in the form of a fountain. These water fountains see to it that there is adequate water in the dam and the temperature of the water in the dam does not rise.
Till some years ago, these fish used to die due to lack of water. These fish need clean, flowing water for survival, which was not available during the peak summer season.
Taking note of the same, the temple authorities started pumping water from Devaragundi falls to the habitat of the fish over the last three years. The temple authorities have been making several efforts to conserve these fish that is looked upon with reverence by the devotees visiting the temple.
The condition at the Matsya Theertha has been healthy comparatively this year because of a couple of rains in the catchment areas.
Temple Bhrahmakalashothsava Committee Chief Santhosh Kuthamotte says that after the water from Devaragundi was pumped, the fish have been living comfortably even in summer.
He recalled the severe drought of 1999 and 2003 which had killed the fish, bringing down their numbers drastically.
The Mahsheer here are invaluable because of the belief that the Gods had descended here incarnating as fish when seer Kanva Maharshi installed the Shivalinga. It is due to this divinity attached to these fish that the temple prasadam is first offered to the fish.