Andhra Pradesh govt chalks out grand plans for Godavari ‘Maha Pushkaram’
As many 278 ghats are being built and works related to pilgrims’ amenities are in an advanced stage of completion
The Andhra Pradesh Government has drawn up grand plans to organise festival Godavari ‘Maha Pushkaram’, occurring after nearly one-and-half centuries, as an occasion to promote environment conservation and river ‘Godavari’ beyond state boundaries.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the 12-day festival which commences from July 14 this year.
The State government would formally write to President Pranab Mukherjee, the Prime Minister, Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of all states inviting them for the festival, Advisor (Communications) to AP government, Parakala Prabhakar, said on Wednesday.
Similar to the ‘Kumbh melas’, celebrated alongside holy rivers across the country, ‘Pushkaram’ in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is held in every 12 years and taking dip in river Godavari is the main feature of the festival from religious perspective.
“Godavari Pushkaram this time is very special because this is called ‘Maha Pushkaram’ which comes once in every 144 years. This is very significant from the astronomical point of view. The conjunction of ‘Brihaspati’ (Jupiter) entering into ‘Simha rasi’ (zodiac sign of Leo),” he said.
The state government would like to brand Godavari and make it more visible within the state, the country and also among the Indian diaspora around the world, Prabhakar, who is the chairman of a State government committee for the festival, said.
“We have envisaged a huge campaign to brand Godavari and Godavari Pushkarams. The Chief Minister has already unveiled the logo for ‘Pushkaram’. It is very simple, which has about seven lines. These lines indicate the rapidity with which Godavari flows, it indicates a ‘jyothi’ and also the process of offering ‘Arghyam’ to the Sun god,” he said.
The ‘logo’ has been selected through an open competition of entries.
He said the government would like to promote the spirit of worship of nature, water and river through the ‘Pushkaram’.
“We want to involve all the 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh as Godavari is lifeline of Andhra Pradesh. Earlier, it used to be largely confined to East and West Godavari districts. Through the campaign we aim to bring participation of all districts. We have chosen a method for it, called as ‘Godavari Sobha Yatra’,” Prabhakar said.
The ‘Sobha Yatra’ involves carrying Godavari water to respective villages and mixing that water in local water bodies. Spiritual leaders and celebrities are also being requested to lead the effort.
The official said there are also plans to organise ‘Godavari Harathi’ like the ‘aarti’ of river Ganga performed in Varanasi.
“We want to do it (Godavari Harathi) in Rajahmundry, where the river flows in all its might. We want people to worship nature, as about 3,000 TMC of water goes wastefully into the sea,” he said.
The state government has recently initiated a lift irrigation scheme in Pattiseema village of West Godavari district through which 80 to 100 TMC water is dumped into river Krishna basin from Godavari which will diverted to the drought-hit Rayalaseema region of the state.
“So, Godavari is indirectly making Rayalaseema irrigated. The government would also integrate the programme (water linking) with its ‘Neeru- Chettu’ (water-tree) scheme aimed at water conservation,” he added.
To reach out to the Indian diaspora, the government will use all major social media platforms, while web portal http://www.godavarimahapushkaram2015.org has already been launched.
The context of Pushkaram would also be used to revive dying art forms and rural sports like ‘Tholubommalata’ (puppet show), ‘Thappeta gullu’ and ‘Harikatha’, Prabhakar said.
A slew of cultural activities would be held during the 12-day period of Pushkaram from July 14 to 25. Classical musicians from the Carnatic and Hindustani schools would be invited to perform during the occasion.
Noting that about three crore footfalls were estimated during the last Pushkaram 12 years ago, Prabhakar said about 3.50 crore pilgrims are expected to attend this year.
The state government is also in talks with the Indian Railways and travel agencies to offer tour packages to visit the state during Pushkaram.
As many 278 ghats are being built and works related to pilgrims’ amenities are in an advanced stage of completion, he said, adding that the famous temples in the Godavari region are being given a face-lift.
Source:: Indian Express
