Hyderabad, May 21: The Saraswati Anty Pushkaralu festival commenced on Thursday in Kaleshwaram, located in Telangana’s Jayashankar Bhupalpally district. The event began with the first sacred bath conducted by Shankar Vijayendra Saraswati, a priest from the Kanchi Mutt. Officials anticipate that this 12-day religious celebration, the first of its kind in Telangana, will attract between 2 to 3 million devotees.
Telangana’s Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, along with Information Technology and Industry Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu and others, participated in the inaugural sacred bath at 5:43 AM.
The Saraswati River is considered a mysterious underground stream that merges with the Godavari and Pranahita rivers in Kaleshwaram, creating a sacred Triveni Sangam. This unique confluence is one of only two locations in India, the other being Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.
It is believed that taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam washes away sins and grants devotees liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Local legislators Gandra Satyanarayana Rao and Malreddy Rangareddy, along with Endowments Department Commissioner Hanumanth Rao, District Collector Rahul Sharma, and religious advisor Govinda Hari, also participated in the sacred bath.
A large number of devotees from Telangana and other states are arriving to partake in the holy dip.
According to an official statement, the district administration has made extensive arrangements to ensure that devotees face no difficulties. Security, sanitation, drinking water, medical services, transportation, and all other necessary facilities have been provided.
District Collector Rahul Sharma stated that all departments are working in coordination to ensure that devotees can perform the Pushkar bath comfortably and safely.
Earlier, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy called for the celebration of the Saraswati Anty Pushkaralu with full devotion and grandeur. He mentioned that the Telangana government has made comprehensive arrangements for the festival, which runs from May 21 to June 1.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that devotees face no issues during their visit for the Pushkar bath. He also emphasized the need for traffic management to facilitate smooth movement for the devotees.
Considering the intense heat, he advised devotees to take care of their health and exercise necessary precautions.
–
Leave a Comment