The stage is set for the commencement of ‘Maha Godavari Pushkaralu’, the once in 144-year event dedicated to worshipping rivers, in the two Telugu States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh from Tuesday.
The pushkaralu, which are observed once in 12 years, this time however is considered very auspicious from the astronomical point of view as it is Maha Pushkaralu which comes once in 144 years. The two governments have made elaborate arrangements both in terms of pilgrim convenience as well as security to ensure peaceful conduct of the 12-day event which culminates on July 25. The pilgrim rush is expected to be in crores, from not only within the States but also from other States across the country.
While the AP government has intensified efforts to spruce up the more than 280 bathing ghats spread along West and East Godavari districts, its Telangana counterpart has commenced frantic efforts to ensure flow of at least some quantity of water in the parched course of the river, flowing for about 600 km in the State. The government has increased the quantity of water release from Sriramsagar and Kadem projects to 4,000 cusecs each and 1,000 cusecs from Yellampally reservoir besides holding negotiations with Maharashtra Government seeking release of water upstream.
There are 106 bathing ghats spread over five districts in Telangana compared to 281 in the two Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh.
Chief Ministers K. Chandrasekhar Rao and N. Chandrababu Naidu have already reached the respective pushkar ghats in Dharmapuri in Karimnagar district and Rajahmundry in East Godavari district. They will take the holy dip along with families at the muhurat time around 6.20 a.m. The governments have deployed expert swimmers and kept rescue boats to meet any contingencies. Exclusive Apps have been developed to monitor the proceedings.
