Grand Plans For Pushkaralu In Telangana Godavari!

Godavari Pushkaralu is synonymous with a visit to Rajahmundry. That is till now. In Telangana, now the sacred bath (Pushkara Snanam) would be in-state, in Telangana path of Godavari.

Telangana Chief Minister KCR is putting his best foot forward, planning the event an year in advance. The ‘Pushkaralu’ are due next July in 2015. The CM held a meeting on friday and decided to invite President Pranab Mukherjee as the chief guest to grace the occasion as Telangana will celebrate “Godavari Pushkaralu” for first time after achieving statehood. He also decided to invite the neighbouring Chief Ministers for the celebrations.

He asked officials to invite the Peetaadhipathis of Kanchi, Sringeri and Chinna Jeeyar Swamy for the Pushkaralu. He asked a team led by advisor KV Ramana Chary to personally pay a visit to the Kanchi seer and take his advise on the rituals and programs to be conducted before and during Pushkaralu. The State Government is keen to take the once-in-12-year event as an opportunity to start religious and cultural tourism. According to Hindu Mythology, the God Pushkar makes his presence in each river after every 12 years; and it is believed that taking a sacred bath in the rivers, when Pushkar is present, will wipe off all their sins. So, people look for Pushkaralu time to have a sacred bath.

KCR told officials to ensure facilities at bath ghats and renovate temples near them to enable pilgrims to have darshan of gods conveniently. He asked them to run a focused campaign to make people participate in the event. He also asked the officials to devise a massive publicity campaign to attract all Telugus in other states, like in Mumbai and Surat, and abroad to take a holy dip in Godavari during the festival. The officials are asked to provide adequate infrastructure and facilities like transport, water and power to the people attending the event.