After Tamil Sangamam, Kashi is ready to Host Telugu Meet Ganga Pushkaralu

Varanasi: A massive gathering of pilgrims from the Telugu-speaking regions of the country is likely to gather in Kashi during the month of April to celebrate Ganga Pushkaralu. Ganga Pushkaralu is observed for a period of 12 days, typically in the month of April, every 12 years from the time Jupiter enters Aswini nakshatra Mesha rasi. It is also known as Ganga Pushkaram. It's a festival to worship rivers and ancestors. The ancient city of Kashi, is currently hosting Kashi Tamil Sangamam to strengthen the bond between the people of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

After a 12-year gap, the 12-day Telugu Pushkaralu festival will be organised this year along the revered Ganges River. This time it will begin on On April 23, 2023. Thousands of Telugu people from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are likely to attend major religious events in Kashi and Haridwar, among other places during this period.

Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma commented on the proposed Pushkaralu festival, "We were aware about the upcoming significant religious event of the Telugu people as we were in the process of preparing for the ongoing Kashi Tamil Sangamam. As we finalise our plans for crowd control and other necessary arrangements, we will begin by estimating the crowd based on historical data and recent Pushkaralu celebrations that took place along other rivers in the last few years."

"In accordance with the "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" programme, which aims to improve interaction and foster mutual understanding between people from various regions, the Pushkaralu festival will also be organised," he added.

According to legend, Lord Shiva granted the ability to live in water and purify sacred rivers to a devotee by the name of Pushkara after he had performed severe penance. Pushkara chose to enter 12 holy rivers—the Ganga, Narmada, Saraswati, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Bhima, Tapti, Tungbhadra, Sindhu, and Pranhita—at the request of Guru Brahaspati (Jupiter), who was aware of his abilities. Every river has a sign of the zodiac. Each year's festival river is chosen based on Brhaspati's journey through each zodiac sign.