Bhavani Island woos Pushkaram pilgrims with its frills

Renovated cottages, culturals, and water sports add to fun and relaxation

The picturesque Bhavani Island with all its attractions is a big pull for a large section of pilgrims thronging the river Krishna for a holy dip during the ongoing Pushkarams. —Photo: Ch.Vijaya Bhaskar

Krishna Pushkarams is a ‘once-in-12 year’ event which draws huge crowds of pilgrims from across the country and officials of the A.P. Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) are in no mood to let go of the opportunity to fill their coffers.

The picturesque Bhavani Island, the prized possession of the Tourism Department, wears a new look after being equipped with all possible frills that have become an inescapable bait for fun-lovers visiting the ghats.

Knowing well that Pushkarams will increase the footfalls to the island resort, tourism officials made elaborate arrangements to keep the visitors enthralled as long as they are in the lagoon away from the hustle-bustle of city life.

In addition to cultural programmes, food courts offering an assortment of lip-smacking delicacies await people. Cottages, renovated and made cosier, woo tourists in their new avatar.

In the run-up to Pushkarams, the tourism wing collaborated with private players for introducing a range of exciting water sports and adventure activities in the river and on its banks. The embankments are dotted with a range of thrilling activities that can give an instant adrenaline rush to the ones experiencing it.

Floating restaurant,

golf court

Besides, the Tourism Corporation, has also brought in 20 additional boats to cater to the burgeoning crowds. “The size of the crowd is growing by the day. A large section of the throngs swarming the bathing ghats, divert to the island resort after performing the rituals. We have made conscious efforts to design Pushkaram celebrations that are a perfect blend of devotion and entertainment,” said V.V.S. Gangaraju, Divisional Manager of APTDC. Glistening white gazebos flanking the island tower seen from a distance beckon adventure junkies. Speed boats, jet skiing, banana boats, floating restaurant, floating golf court and scores of other modes of entertainment await people.

Para-sailing, introduced by Goa-based yachting firm Champions Yacht Club, is a huge hit among visitors. This adventurous mode allows a person to glide through the air wearing an open parachute while being towed by a motor boat at a great speed in the river.

The Government intends to make all this and much more a permanent feature of the island before the current magical spell ends.