Godavari Pushkaralu 2015

Pushkaram is an Indian festival dedicated to worshiping of rivers. It is also known as Pushkaralu (in Telugu), Pushkara or Pushkar

Pushkaram is a Sanskrit word meaning “the one who purifies"

In India festivals are generally the days that hold spiritual significances like birthdays of gods, goddesses, religious seers and saints other than some national festivals. Among them Pushkaram is considered to be very sacred as the rivers in India are comparable to goddesses.

 

Pushkaram is a festival of rivers that is relevant only to the 12 important rivers in India which takes place once in 12 years for each river. The rivers Ganga , Narmada , Saraswathi , Yamuna , Godavari , Krishna , Kaveri , Tambrapani , Brahmaputhra , Tungabhadra , Indus , and Pranahita are the privileged rivers .

The river for each year festival is dependent on the presence of Jupiter on which Zodiac sign by that time.
The pushkaram remains for a period as long as the Jupiter stays in that particular Zodiac sign
It is believed that Pushkarudu , generally known as pushkar God who is powerful to make any river holy will travel with Jupiter ,
as Jupiter moves  from one Zodiac sign to another Zodiac sign .

Since INDIA has the people of different languages with distinct cultures and traditions ,
Pushkaram help to make all the people gather at one place , shows the unity in diversity .

During pushkaram pilgrims from all over the country will definitely have a holy dip with the belief that they might be relieved from all sins , and carry out rituals to dead souls . It is believed that during the period of pushkaram all deities and rishies take holy dip , a holy bathe in river which will improve one's spritual , mental and physical abilities .

Godavari pushkaram is a festival of River Godavari which occurs once in 12 years. The pushkaram festival last held in the year 2003. 

 The next festival , Godavari Pushkaram is in 2015 . This year Pushkarams is Called Maha kumbhamela . maha kumbhamela happens once in 144 years . The very first 12 days of Godavari pushkaram is called Aadhi pushkaram and the last 12 days of Godavari pushkaram is called Anthya pushkaram . These 24 days are very pious to devotees , as pushkaradu travels during these days . A holy dip in Godavari which will boost one's spritual , mental and physical capabilities .

Godavari originates at Triumbakam , Nasik district of Maharastra State and passes through southern state of Andhra Pradesh and reaches the Bay of Bengal .
Government make arrangements for piligrims during pushkarams .In the year 2003 above two crores pilgrims have attended the festival in Rajahmundry

Godavari river is also known as Gowthami 

There is also a Railway Station Named "Godavari Railway Station” in Rajahmundry , which is present in the proximity of River Godavari . During pushkaram's , south central railway will make special arrangements at Godavari railway station so as to handle heavy rush of pilgrims.

 

A budget of Rs 100 crore has been specially allocated for the pushkaralu of 2015 by the Andhra pradesh government . If needed general good fund of temples will also be used as the government is taking it prestigious
According to the latest reports , the Andhra Pradesh government is all set to invite the Telangana Chief Minister , K Chandrasekhar Rao , as a guest during the introductory ceremony of the Godavari Pushkaralu . The Andhra Pradesh Minister of Endowments , P Manikyala Rao , has informed the media that the Chief Ministers of All the states , religious leaders , spiritual gurus and seers will be invited for Pushkaralu .

The minister also said that the government will likely be sending invitations to nearly 2500 guests for the Pushkaralu . The Godavari Pushkaralu are going to start from the 14th of July and that the Akhanda Harathi will be offered to Godavari River on 1st July itself . The minister also said that heavy security with more than 20 ,000 policemen will supervise the safety and protective measures of the visitors and devotees . The Pushkar Ghats will be classified into VVIP , VIP and General categories .

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