Krishna Pushkaralu
Krishna River : This is the longest river in India. The Krishna means as dark in Sanskrit. Krishna river originates in the Western Ghats and finally drains into the Bay of Bengal.
Krishna Pushkaralu 2016 Start Date: 12th August 2016
krishna Pushkaralu 2016 Last Date: 23rd August 2016
The Krishna river is the fourth largest river, which is about 1,300 kilometers long. It originates from Mahabaleswar of Maharashtra and exits into the Bay of Bengal at Hamsaladeevi. The river flows through Karnataka and ends its journey in Andhra Pradesh before reaching its final destination viz., Bay of Bengal.
Most of the Krishna River is connected with Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. Krishna Pushkaralu is a festival of River Krishna which normally occurs once in 12 years. The Pushkaralu is observed for a period of 12 days from the time of entry of Jupiter into Virgo (Kanya rasi).
As per the legend, there lived a Brahmin in a village. He did severe penance towards Lord Shiva. As a result of it, Lord Shiva granted a boon because of which he was blessed with a power to purify the holy rivers. Thenceforth he was known as Pushkar (the one who nourishes). While traveling from one zodiac sign to another, Brihaspati aka Jupiter requested Pushkar to make the 12 sacred rivers holy. Various pujas and rituals were performed during the Pushkaralu.
The festival lasts as long as Jupiter remains in the corresponding zodiac sign. Major crowds will throng during the first 12 days. The first 12 days when the Jupiter enters the zodiac sign and the last 12 days when it exits the zodiac sign are considered as most auspicious. The first twelve days are known as Adi pushkaram, and the last twelve days are called Anthya Pushkaram. It is believed that during the above period of twenty-four days, Pushkar will be traveling with Jupiter as it moves from one Zodiac sign to another and will be making any river holy.. Krishna Pushkaralu commences on 12th August 2016 in the morning.
Krishna river flows through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The river is the source of conflict between these states over the sharing of waters of the river.The water is transparent and sweet and is said to possess many medicinal properties naturally. The waters of the river Krishna are known to excite the bile juices in our stomach.
Preparations are in full swing for the Krishna Pushkaralu festival which will begin on 12th August Friday 2016 in Andhra Pradesh.With all the elegance and heritage, Telugu states welcome the ‘Krishna Pushkaralu 2016’ beginning on August 12. Pushakaralu is been a very age old practice and pilgrims take a holy dip in the rivers. This year, the festival is going to attract lakhs of devotees from Andhra Pradesh and other states.
Kanaka Durga Temple of Goddess Durga is situated at Indrakeeladri hill on the banks of River Krishna.
Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple is another important landmark in Srisailam, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The temple is perched atop a hill on the south bank of the Krishna.
There is one Amareswara temple in Amaravati in Sattenapalli taluk of Guntur district, which is situated near the river Krishna.
Government of Andhra Pradesh is promoting event as a representative of the culture and tourism by arranging Pushkar ghats and wide range of amenities. Government of Andhra Pradesh is fully committed to conduct this Krishna Pushkaralu 2016 mainly at two cities, Vijayawada and Guntur. Police department of both the states employed CCTV’s surveillance and special teams for inspection.
Indian railways has announced special trains for this event. State governments are working on the event since last 2- 3 months with concerning officers of the state. Bathing Ghats were arranged to have a holy dip in the river and many other safety measure were been initiated by the government. Vijayawada is been the main centre for the Krishna pushkaralu 2016 and a large number of devotees gather to perform pujas and other rituals along with the dip. It is estimated that 3.5 crore piligrims will take part during the 12-day festival in 2016.
Government provided a resting shelter facility for the pilgrims in the name pushkara nagars. These pushkara nagars are established near important ghat points, where the traffic is expected to be high. A total of 38 pushkara nagars were established in and around Vijayawada city where more than 1 lakh piligrims are expected to visit. Parking facility is also made available for the convenience of the visitors. Government has launched a website and a mobile app to keep visitors updated about the event. This mobile app helps visitors to get updates about the traffic flow and plan their travel accordingly.
Krishna Pushkaralu’ is a festival of River Krishna which is usually held once in 12 years. The event is observed for a period of 12 days from the time of entry of Jupiter into Virgo.This year, the festival, which attracts lakhs of devotees from all over Andhra Pradesh and other states, will be held between August 12 to August 24 in Krishna, Guntur and Kurnool districts.
Round the clock helpdesk numbers — 138,139 and 182 will also guide and assist people to the ghats.
While the AP government has launched a website, the AP unit of TDP has come up with Krishnamma app which would provide information about ghats, temples, parking facilities, hospitals, food arrangements, bus and train schedules. The app launched by TDP will provide information about pushkar ghats in Telangana as well.
Interestingly, while Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has decided to take a dip at Gondimalla ghat in Mahbubnagar district and then visit Jogulamba temple, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has so far not announced where he would take a dip. Both the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State chief ministers have extended invitation to Governor ESL Narasimhan and it now remains to be seen where Governor would take a dip.
Justice Sunil Choudary of Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday made it clear that the officers shall allow the purohits who have I-D cards to perform the rituals at any ghat along Krishna river.
These interim orders were passed in a writ petition filed by All India Brahmin Federation. The petitioner complained that authorities were placing restrictions and curbing their entry.
The judge said that I-D cards be given to all who apply for it. The judge said “ Prima facie I am of the opinion that issuance of identity cards with specification of the places, where poojas can be performed by the purohits is not valid in law.
Thus, by way of an interim order, the respondent authorities are directed to permit the purohits to perform poojas, wherever it is convenient to them as well as general public.
However, the purohits have to obtain specific identity cards disclosing their identity.”
krishna pushkaralu celebrations include remembering the ancestors, spiritual discourses, devotional music and cultural programs.
Mahaboobnagar District Krishna Pushkaralu places are: Jurala, Beechupalli, Rangapur, Alampur, Nadi Agraharam, Chintarevula, Nandimalla (Narayanpet), Krishna, Pasupula and Panchadev Padu (Maktal), Chellepad (Weepanagandla), Jataprole (Weepanagandla), Somasila (Kollapur), Malleswaram, Manchalakatta and Lingala.
In Nalgonda District Krishna Pushkaralu places are: Nagarjunasagar, Wadapally in Damaracharla mandal, Mattapally and , apart from 5 places of Mellacheruvu mandal, Utlapally in Peddavura mandal, Adavidevulapally in Damaracharla, Mahankaligudem in Nereducharla are locations.