Choppers, drones to be deployed at Godavari Pushkarams

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Devotees taking holy bath in Godavari River during the Simhastha Kumbha Mela in Nashik.

Devotees caught in a stampede near Kotagummam pushkar ghat on the first day of Maha Pushkaram on Tuesday. Photo: K.R. Deepak

Devotees caught in a stampede near Kotagummam pushkar ghat as a sea of humanity thronged to take a dip in river Godavari on the first day of Maha Pushkaram at Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. Eighteen prilgrims died in the stampede. Photo: K.R. Deepak

Policemen stand near dead bodies of victims of a stampede during a Hindu religious bathing festival on the bank of the Godavari River in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and his grand children taking bath in Godavari River at Dharmapuri in Karimnagar District on Tuesday as part of Maha Pushkarams. Photo: Thakur Ajaypal Singh

Pithadhipathis giving blessings to Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao at Dharmapuri at the start of Pushkarams in Karimngar District on Tuesday. Photo: Thakur Ajaypal Singh

 

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Stage set for Godavari Maha Pushkaralu - The Hindu

This year’s event is considered very auspicious, which comes once in 144 years.
The stage is set for the commencement of ‘Maha Godavari Pushkaralu’, the once in 144-year event dedicated to worshipping rivers, in the two Telugu States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh from Tuesday.

The pushkaralu, which are observed once in 12 years, this time however is considered very auspicious from the astronomical point of view as it is Maha Pushkaralu which comes once in 144 years. The two governments have made elaborate arrangements both in terms of pilgrim convenience as well as security to ensure peaceful conduct of the 12-day event which culminates on July 25. The pilgrim rush is expected to be in crores, from not only within the States but also from other States across the country.

While the AP government has intensified efforts to spruce up the more than 280 bathing ghats spread along West and East Godavari districts, its Telangana counterpart has commenced frantic efforts to ensure flow of at least some quantity of water in the parched course of the river, flowing for about 600 km in the State. The government has increased the quantity of water release from Sriramsagar and Kadem projects to 4,000 cusecs each and 1,000 cusecs from Yellampally reservoir besides holding negotiations with Maharashtra Government seeking release of water upstream.

There are 106 bathing ghats spread over five districts in Telangana compared to 281 in the two Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Chief Ministers K. Chandrasekhar Rao and N. Chandrababu Naidu have already reached the respective pushkar ghats in Dharmapuri in Karimnagar district and Rajahmundry in East Godavari district. They will take the holy dip along with families at the muhurat time around 6.20 a.m. The governments have deployed expert swimmers and kept rescue boats to meet any contingencies. Exclusive Apps have been developed to monitor the proceedings.

 

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Drone cameras in action during the Godavari Puskaralu near Bhadradri temple at Bhadrachalam in Khammam District on Tuesday.

Drone cameras come in handy - The Hindu
Drone cameras came in handy for the police to monitor the crowd and traffic movement in Bhadrachalam, which witnessed a massive pilgrim turnout on the inaugural day of the 12-day Godavari Pushkaralu on Tuesday.

Four drone cameras were pressed into service by the police for aerial surveillance over the entire stretch of bathing ghats, temple surroundings, Ambedkar Centre and the parking lot at Sarapaka.

The Bhadrachalam police initiated technology-aided surveillance measures in the temple town due to its proximity to the Left-wing extremism-affected areas along the inter-State border with Chhattisgarh.

“We have captured the aerial images of the crowded places in and around the temple town with a focus on the bathing ghats along the Godavari river using the drone cameras,” said Satya, one of the operators of the aerial surveillance cameras.

The images were accessed by the personnel manning the control room and used to fix some problems near the queue lines and monitor traffic movement on the bridge across the Godavari in the temple town.



A view of pilgrims congregating at River Godavari for Godavari Puskaralu near Bhadradri temple at Bhadrachalam in Khammam district on Tuesday. Photo: G.N. Rao

It’s a sea of humanity - The Hindu
Reinforcing their instinctive bond with the Godavari, thousands of pilgrims from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, besides other parts of the country, took a holy dip in the Godavari in this historic temple town of Bhadrachalam on the first day of the 12-day Godavari Pushkaralu.
An estimated over 1.80 lakh pilgrims took holy bath in the river in the temple town, the abode of Lord Sitaramachandra Swamy, till evening.

Amidst a sea of humanity, Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Chinna Jeeyar Swamy performed Visesha Snapanam to the Srirama Padukas with the holy Godavari waters before taking a holy dip in the river at 6.26 a.m., marking the formal commencement of the fete.

Earlier, an impressive ceremonial procession was taken out from the temple to the bathing ghat on the banks of the Godavari.

BJP State president G Kishan Reddy was among the prominent people who took the holy dip.

The police deployed a drone camera for aerial surveillance of the bathing ghats as part of crowd management measures.

Mild showers that lashed the temple town later in the day brought some relief to the devotees who otherwise reeled under humid conditions on the banks of the Godavari.

It took several hours for the devotees to have darshan of the temple deity due to heavy rush at darshan lines.

Police and NDRF personnel guide pilgrims in Godavari during Pushkara holy dip in Bhadrachalam on Tuesday. Photo: G.N. Rao

Security personnel stationed at a pushkar ghat in Karimnagar District on Tuesday. Photo: Thakur Ajaypal Singh

The Home Minister and the DGP flew down to Kaleswaram and Bhadrachalam while a helicopter was kept on stand by at Bhadrachalam to meet any eventuality.
Alerted by the stampede in Rajahmundry leading to casualties, the Telangana Government on Tuesday rushed Home Minister Naini Narasimha Reddy and DGP Anurag Sharma to review security arrangements in Bhadrachalam and Kaleswaram, where the rush of pilgrims to take the holy dip during Godavari Pushkaralu would be more.

The Home Minister and the DGP flew down to Kaleswaram and Bhadrachalam while a helicopter was kept on stand by at Bhadrachalam to meet any eventuality.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, on his return from Dharmapuri in Karimngar district after participating in Pushkaralu, held a review meeting with senior officials at the Camp Office. He spoke to senior officials posted at Basar, Kaleswaram and Bhadrachalam pushkar ghats.

The Hindu
Large number of prilgrims offering speical puja and taking holy dip at Pochampad Ghat of river Godavari in Nizamabad district on Tuesday. Photo: K. V. Ramana.

• Personnel from the Fire Department and the NDRF controlling pilgrims at Godavari in Bhadrachalam on the first day of Pushkaralu on Tuesday. (Right) Students of Sri Veda Bharati Peetham going for a holy dip in the Godavari in Basar. --PHOTOs: G.N.RAO and S. Harpal Singh
  
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Adilabad SP Tarun Joshi patrolling Godavari river with the NDRF personnel at Basar on Tuesday.— Photo: S. Harpal Singh

 

[Hindustani78]

The Hindu
Naga Sadhus at playing a `damru' at PSTN Club in Narasapuram in West Godavari District as part of Godavari Pushkaralu. Photo: A.V.G. Prasad

“Aarti (Harati) is a token of expressing our respect and gratitude to the rivers. Be it Ganga or Godavari, we must pay our tributes in the form of offering Aarti without fail,” says Sabhapathi Umashankar Bharati, head of a 12-member group of ‘Sadhus’ arrived here from Benaras and Nasik to participate in the ‘Godavari Maha Pushkaralu-2015.’

Of the 12 Sadhus, six are ‘Aghoras’ who sport in saffron robes and the remaining six are ‘Naga Sadhus,’ who prefer to stay nude by smearing ‘Vibhoothi’ (holy ash) to their body. The age old PSTN Club building on the banks of the Vasishta turned into the temporary abode for the Sadhus group. The building is being guarded by six personnel round the clock.

The Sadhus are making public appearance only twice a day – before the sunrise for a holy dip and after the sunset to perform ‘Godavari Harathi.’ Additional security forces are being deputed to guard the Sadhus on the two occasions, as stampede-like situation is prevailing in the vicinity with people competing with each other to have a close glimpse of the saints, who are quite foreigners for them.

“We have travelled for 36 hours to reach here from Nasik in three cars. Though the journey is quite tedious, we are happy that we are participating in a ‘Kumbh Mela’ like festival here,” says the 64-year-old Aghora Sadhu, while sipping tea that was made for him specially. “We have been to all the religious events to pray Eeswar Bhagavan seeking peace,” he says.

Sthapati Mahanth Som Varanad Saraswathi, a Naga Sadhu from Nasik, says nudity is their lifestyle. “People here are seeking our blessings,” he says, while playing ‘Damaru’ (a small drum).

Bhajaran Giri, a 23-year-old Naga Sadhu, has evinced interest in explaining in detail about their lifestyle. “We are pure vegetarians and consuming onion is a taboo for us. We are all one family, where we have fatherly, brotherly and mentor-like figures. There is no place for women in our family,” says Giri, who is not willing to speak about his whereabouts.

“We spend most of our time in prayers. Though we are not nomadic, we would love to visit places during the religious events,” he says.

Local MLA Bandaru Madhava Naidu has taken the initiative to invite the Sadhus from the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad and deputed his men to look after them.

“People of Narasapuram are fortunate to have Sadhus with them during the Godavari Pushkaralu. The Sadhus rejected an invite from Rajahmundry and came over here for the event,” he says. Jeweller Mukesh Jain, caretaker of the Sadhus, has brought in a special cook from Rajasthan. “But, the Sadhus are relishing idly in the breakfast here,” he smiles.

Muslim family takes a holy dip - The Hindu
Updated: July 15, 2015 05:43 IST

A Muslim family came all the way from Nellore to take a holy dip in the Godavari on first day of the Maha Pushkaram on Tuesday.

Kareem Basha, his wife Aisha and sister-in-law Jameela were part of a nine-member group from Nellore.

Mr. Kareem expressed his desire to attend the Pushkarams to his Hindu neighbours, after coming to know about their plans to visit Rajahmundry for the event.

Mr. Basha, a lecturer in a private college in Nellore, said there is nothing wrong in taking a dip in the river. “Rivers are lifeline of mankind. The mythological stories associated with the Pushkarams, fuelled my desire further to be a part of the event,” he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Rs. 1,999 for a 10-minute copter ride has become popular among the pilgrims visiting the pushkaralu in Rajahmundry

Copter ride gives a bird’s eyeview - The Hindu
Appala Naidu (56) is a daily wage-earner from Palasa in Srikakulam district. He had but one dream: to fly. He came to Rajahmundry for the Godavari Maha Pushkaram with Rs. 7,000 in his pocket, his entire savings from a life of labour. Little did he know that the Pushkaram will make his dream come true at long last. During his trips to the bathing ghats, he chanced upon a notice board advertising Pawan Hans’ helicopter joyrides over the river. The ride costs a pretty penny for a daily wager like him: Rs. 1999 for a 10-minute flight.

He jumped at it. “I thoroughly enjoyed myself. This is enough for my life,” he exulted as he got off the bird on Thursday.

Mr. Naidu was one of the 108 people who signed up the joyride in Pawan Hans’s six-seater helicopter, which started its operations on Wednesday. On the very second day, the helicopter rides have proved popular with the pilgrims who, after having performed their rituals, are looking for some excitement. There were 110 bookings till afternoon on Wednesday and the number was expected to go up to 180 by evening.

Mr. Maneesh Rokade, deputy general manager of Pawan Hans, said the response has been good on day one and two. The copter service has permission to to operate up to three choppers depending on the number of riders. Until the number reaches 200 Pawan Hans will operate just one chopper. The ride starts from the GIET Engineering College in Rajanagaram, which is about 14 km from Rajahmundry. The APSRTC has arranged buses to take pilgrims to Rajanagaram.

 

[Hindustani78]

A group of Adivasi girls taking a holy dip in Godavari at Chintaguda in Jannaram mandal in Adilabad district.- Photo: S. Harpal Singh

Curiosity, fostered by media coverage of Pushkaralu is bringing the Adivasis of Adilabad to the banks of river Godavari to participate in the mega event, perhaps for the first time in history. Though Adivasis pay homage and respect to their departed in a ceremony called ‘sana kaida’, their culture and traditions do not include ‘pinda pradanam’ as in the case of Pushkaralu held every 12 years on the banks of Godavari and other perennial rivers in the country.

The ‘sana kaida’ is performed between the full moon following Dasara and the amavasya every year at designated places which are close to respective villages. The tribal people sacrifice animals praying for the peace of the dead.

The Gonds, Kolams, Pardhans and Thottis who are natives of Adilabad love and revere the Godavari, the Penganga and the Wainganga rivers which flow on the southern and northern fringes of the district. All the clans within these aboriginal tribes take holy baths at designated spots in these rivers but only during their festivals and religious events.

For example, the Mesram clan of Gonds visit the Hastinamadugu in Godavari near Kalamadugu in Jannaram mandal to fetch the sacred river water in the Poos month or January and in the Bhave month or in May. Gonds living on the northern borders give the ritual bath to their clan deities in Penganga and Wainganga rivers. Those living in the southern parts perform the Padmalpuri Kako puja at the end of the Ghusadi dance season after Diwali in Godavari at Gudirevu near Mancherial.

“We came here after coming to know of the great event from newspapers,” was how young Arka Sunitha, a Gond of Utnoor mandal headquarter put it. “We wanted to see the festivities and take a dip in the river for ourselves,” she adds pointing towards the flowing river at the Chintagudem pushkar ghat in Jannaram. The group of about 15 Adivasi women straight away reached a spot in the river where water was flowing and made merry in the water for about 30 minutes. They did not engage the services of a purohit on the banks of the river as required when performing ‘pinda danam’ for departed souls in the family.

 

[Hindustani78]

Governor ESL Narasimhan along with wife Vimala arriving at the bathing ghat at Bhadrachalam in Khammam District of Telangana to take a holy dip in Godavari River as part of Maha Pushkaralu on Monday.

A.P. and Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan having a darshan at Bhadadri Temple in Bhadrachalam in Khammam District on Monday after a holy dip in Godavari river.

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  Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan along with his wife Vimala taking a holy dip in Godavari river at VIP Ghat in Rajahmundry on Monday. Photo: S. Rambabu
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Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan along with his wife taking a holy dip in Godavari river at VIP Ghat in Rajahmundry on Monday. Photo: S. Rambabu

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Pushkaralu is turning to be a windfall for the Kinnerasani boating unit
The ongoing river fete dedicated to worshipping the Godavari is turning out to be a windfall for the recently set up Kinnerasani boating unit at the scenic Kinnerasani reservoir in Palvancha mandal.

An infant being given a bath at Dharmapuri in Karimnagar district on Sunday.– Photo: T. Ajaypal Singh

 

[Hindustani78]

Women releasing lamps into Godavari river at Dharmapuri in Karimnagar district on Monday.-Photo: Thakur AjaypalSingh

 

[Hindustani78]

Over 11 crore took dip in Godavari during 12 days | Zee News
Last Updated: Sunday, July 26, 2015 - 15:29
Hyderabad: More than 11 crore people took a dip in the Godavari river in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh during the 12-day Godavari maha pushkaralu festival that ended on Saturday.

While 6.40 crore people took the dip in Telangana, the others did so in Andhra Pradesh, officials said on Sunday.

The once in 144-year event passed off peacefully barring a stampede that killed 27 pilgrims on the first day on July 14 in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking at a meeting at Rajahmundy on Sunday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said pushkaralu will go down in the history as a memorable event.

He said that after the tragedy on the first day, all officials went on alert and discharged their responsiblities efficiently.

Naidu announced 150 percent dearness allowance for all the government employees who were on duty during the event.

He also declared that Rajahmundry would be soon renamed as Rajamahendri to highlight the glory of the city.

The pushkaralu came to a colourful end on Saturday night with fireworks and laser show in Rajahmundry.

There was also an enchanting Kuchipudi ballet by over 1,000 dancers, depicting the story of Godavari.

Lakhs of people thronged the ghats in Rajahmundry and 263 other ghats in East Godavari and West Godavari district.

Andhra minister Palle Raghunath Reddy said 3.31 crore people took a dip in East Godavari and 1.49 crore in West Godavari.

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Swami Nirmalananda were among the prominent pilgrims who took the dip on the last day in Rajahmundry.

Meanwhile, pilgrims who wanted to take a bath on Sunday in the temple town Bhadrachalam in Telangana were stopped from doing so.

The festival in Telangana ended with Swami Paripoornananda performing the rituals at Dharampuri in Karimnagar district.

Telangana's Endowment Minister Indarakaran Reddy said 2.83 crore pilgrims took the dip in Karimnagar alone.

Though pushkaralu, dedicated to worshipping rivers, take place once in 12 years, this time it is considered very auspicious. Priests say such an event comes once in 144 years.

People from across the country took the holy dip in the Godavari, known as south Ganga.

PTI