The Andhra Pradesh Government is gearing up to celebrate the Godavari pushkaram -- which comes once in twelve years -- on a grand scale from July 14 and the two Godavari districts (East Godavari and West Godavari) in particular will witness great excitement, enthusiasm and a surge of religious fervour during the twelve days.

It is believed that during the period all the Gods and Goddesses in the Hindu pantheon reside in the sacred waters of the great river and wash off all the sins of the devotees who take a bath in the river. Rituals are performed for the sake of the ancestors on the banks of the river and Rajahmundry on the eastern side and Kovvuru on the western side are the two favoured places. Devotees and pilgrims from all over the State, Telangana and other states throng the historical 1,000-year-old of Rajahmundry during the period.

The Chief Minister, N. Chandra Babu Naidu, is evincing great interest in promoting pushkaram this year, as he did in 2003, when he was in power, to draw religious tourists from all over the country and to use the event to enhance the brand value of the State.

The Government is making all arrangements for the pilgrims to have a safe and hygienic bath at the various ghats in the two Godavari districts and also for the performance of the rituals.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is holding a convention at Lalacheruvu near here on the opening day (July 14) which will be addressed by the chief, Mohan Bhagwat.

The South Central Railway (SCR) is running several special trains during the pushkaram period to meet the rush of pilgrims.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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