Telangana to organise Godavari Pushkaralu on lines of Kumbh Mela
Hyderabad, March 10
The Telangana government will organise Godavari Pushkaralu on the lines of Kumbh Mela with grand arrangements that reflect the cultural identity and spirit of Telangana, state minister D. Sridhar Babu said on Tuesday.
At the first meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on "Godavari Pushkaralu-2027", held at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat, officials were directed to undertake permanent infrastructure works that showcase the 'Telangana Brand' and the state's rich traditions.
The meeting was chaired by IT and Industries minister Sridhar Babu and attended by ministers Konda Surekha, Tummala Nageswara Rao, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Seethakka and Adluri Laxman Kumar, along with Government Adviser Sudarshan Reddy and senior officials.
The committee reviewed the schedule of the Pushkarams, departmental preparedness and the roadmap for future works.
According to Vedic scholars, the Adi Pushkaralu will be held from June 26 to July 7, 2027, while the Antya Pushkaralu will take place from July 13 to July 24, 2028.
According to an official release, the ministers noted that the 'people's government' led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had successfully conducted Saraswati Pushkaralu and the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara in a grand manner. They said the Godavari Pushkaralu would be organised with even greater scale and efficiency.
Around eight crore devotees are expected to participate in the Pushkarams. Accordingly, 96 locations across districts have been identified, linking important temples along the Godavari River.
Drawing on experiences from previous Pushkarams, the government is preparing separate state and district-level plans to improve ghats, roads and other infrastructure based on local conditions. Officials said Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) would be completed by the end of this month. In the first phase, nine high-footfall locations have been identified as 'Tier-1' areas, where works will be taken up on a war footing. To ensure better coordination, the government will appoint a Special Officer for the Pushkarams, along with department-wise nodal officers.
Special focus will be placed on traffic management at ghats, emergency access routes, advanced medical facilities and parking arrangements, officials said.
Ministers emphasised that no compromise would be made in the arrangements and directed officials to ensure high-quality infrastructure and meticulous planning to avoid any shortcomings during the mega religious event.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the spiritual significance, I hope the government focuses on sustainable infrastructure. 8 crore devotees is a massive number. The plans for medical facilities and traffic management are crucial. Let's ensure the event is safe and doesn't harm the river's ecology.
My family is already planning to go in 2027! It's great to see such advanced planning. Linking the important temples along the Godavari is a wonderful idea for a spiritual pilgrimage. Hope the 'Telangana Brand' includes promoting our local handicrafts and cuisine to visitors.
The scale is impressive, but I have a respectful criticism. The article mentions "war footing" for Tier-1 locations. We've seen in the past that rushed infrastructure projects can lead to poor quality. I hope the DPRs are thorough and there is transparency in spending the public money for this mega event.
As someone from a Godavari district, this is very exciting news! It will bring a huge economic boost to our region. Hope they train local youth for hospitality jobs and ensure the benefits reach the common people, not just big contractors. The focus on emergency access is very smart.
Visiting the Kumbh Mela was an incredible experience. If Telangana can replicate that scale and spiritual atmosphere for the Godavari Pushkaralu, it will be a major draw for international tourists interested in India's cultural heritage. Smart move.
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