Amaravati buzzed with anticipation as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to scrutinize preparations for the grand Godavari Pushkaralu festival slated for next year. This sacred event, running from June 26 to July 7, 2027, will span 12 immersive days of spiritual fervor across six key districts: Polavaram, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari, Ambedkar Konaseema, and Kakinada.
Before diving into the discussions at the secretariat, Naidu sought blessings from priests, underscoring the event’s deep cultural roots. He expressed profound pride, noting that organizing Godavari Pushkaralu for the third time in his tenure as Chief Minister is a rare privilege. ‘This is my good fortune,’ he remarked, highlighting the government’s commitment to making it a spectacle on par with the Kumbh Mela.
The ambitious infrastructure push includes developing 373 ghats along the Godavari riverbanks, stretching over 9,918 meters. This encompasses 139 new ghats in addition to the existing 234, ensuring ample space for the expected influx of around 10 crore devotees from India and abroad. Naidu issued firm directives to expedite the Polavaram project completion ahead of the festival, emphasizing seamless coordination among departments.
Ministers like Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Anita Narayan, Nimmala Ramanaidu, and others, along with Chief Secretary Viyayanand and DGP Harish Kumar Gupta, attended the review. Water Resources Minister Ramanaidu elaborated on the spiritual significance, drawing from scriptures that glorify bathing in holy rivers during Pushkaralu as equivalent to bathing in 12 rivers over 12 years. Revered as the ‘Southern Ganga,’ Godavari holds a pivotal place in Indian traditions, promising unparalleled punya to participants.
The coalition government envisions a meticulously planned extravaganza, blending devotion, logistics, and cultural heritage. With detailed arrangements underway, Andhra Pradesh gears up to host one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, promising an unforgettable spiritual odyssey for millions.
