The Godavari Maha Pushkaralu, the once in 144-years event to worship the river commenced on a religious note in five districts of Telangana through which the mighty river flows.
Decked up for the grand event, Pushkar Ghats in Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam districts were teeming with devotees rushing into the river to take the holy bath.
There was some water at Pushkar Ghats at Dharmapuri (Karimnagar district), Ramannagudem (Warangal) after authorities released water from Sriramsagar and Kadem projects.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao along with his family members took the holy dip along with Pithadithipatis of several Mutts in temple town of Dharmapuri in Karimnagar district. Religious heads took out a Shoba Yatra from the temple to the Pushkar Ghat in Dharmapuri. Later, he left for Bhadrachalam to participate in the mega event.
The river fete commenced in Bhadrachalam with Seer Chinna Jeeyar Swamy formally taking a dip in Godavari. He performed Chakrasnanam and offered prayers to the statue of goddess Godavari on the banks of the river. He was accompanied by Minister T. Harish Rao and Telangana BJP state president G. Kishan Reddy and others.
At the temple town of Basar in Adilabad district, Pushkaralu commenced with religious fervour. Minister Jogu Ramanna took the holy dip in the river. Actor Suman and others also took the bath and offered prayers to the river Godavari. The rush of devotees began to increase as the day passed by. Police regulated traffic as one-way traffic was imposed on the Nizamabad-Basar Road leading to the Gnana Saraswati Temple.
At Pochampad in Nizamabad, Agriculture Minister P.Srinivas Reddy and Nizamabad MP K. Kavitha offered prayers at the river Godavari abutting Sriramsagar Project.
In Warangal, the much-awaited event began on a traditional note with people offering special prayers before taking a holy dip. Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari formally launched the Pushkaralu at Mangapet bathing ghats. He also took a holy dip.
Small crowds mostly locals made a beeline to bathing ghats at Mangapet and Ramannagudem. Elaborate arrangements were made by the district administration. Over 500 sanitation workers, 70 doctors, 2,000 police personnel were drafted for the duties.
Source: The Hindu