Holy dip at Godavari Pushkarams in Telangana

HYDERABAD: One need not go all the way to Rajahmundry in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to take a holy dip in the Godavari as pushkarams are being held in Telangana next year.

The Telangana government is making grand arrangements to organise Godavari puskharams for the first time in the new State. These puskharams will be conducted in Telangana rivalling the famed Rajahmundry event.

The state government is making arrangements one year ahead of Godavari pushkarams, which will be held from July 14, 2015. The Godavari pushkarams have a speciality, as they are being conducted for the first time after the formation of Telangana state. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao conducted a review meeting on the pushkarams at Secretariat.

The Chief Minister has decided to invite President Pranab Mukherjee, Chief Ministers and Governors of other states for the mega event. Underscoring the spiritual importance of the pushkarams, the Chief Minister also decided to invite pontiffs of Kanchi, Sringeri and other peethams.

'There is a belief among people that the dip in holy rivers during pushkarams will get them 'punya'. So, the conduct of Godavari pushkarams should be in a grand manner,' the Chief Minister told the officials.

He suggested to the officials to invite religious heads to give religious discourses, conduct spiritual and cultural programmes during the pushkarams.

'The Godavari is known as 'Dakshina Ganga' and the pushkarams should be conducted in a big way on the lines of Kumbh Mela,' the Chief Minister said. All the temples near Godavari river will be renovated. The government will provide transport to people from Maharashtra. Bathing ghats will be constructed at all important places along the banks of Godavari.

A delegation consisting of state government advisor KV Ramanachary, KCR's mentor Mrutyunjay Sarma, Plakurthi Nrusimha Siddhanti, Yayavaram Chandrasekhara Siddhanti and Astakala Rammohan Sarma will soon meet Sringeri Peethadhipati Sankaracharya to seek his advice on the conduct of pushkarams.

The Chief Minister wanted main priests of Basara, Dharmapuri, Kaleswaram, Bhadrachalam, Vemulawada, Yadagirigutta and Jogulamba temples be made part of the delegation.

The state will also invite those settled abroad to visit Telangana in July 2015. The government will soon launch a website exclusively for the pushkarams. The Chief Minister told the officials that he would conduct another meeting soon with priests of important temples, Siddhantis and the main priest who conducts Kumbh Mela to finalise the plans for the pushkarams.

Godavari pushkarams will be held from July 14, 2015. Around 2.5 crore people are likely to have holy dip in Godavari during the 12-day religious jamboree

Event assumes significance as it is going to be held for the first time in new state Telangana govt goes all-out to make the event a mega success

Pushkarams will be conducted at Basara, Dharmapuri, Kaleswaram, Bhadrachalam and in all other important temple towns along Godavari river course

KCR decides to invite President Pranab Mukherjee, CMs, Governors of other states

Pontiffs of Kanchi, Sringeri and other peethams to be the special attraction.