RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: The West Godavari district administration is making extensive arrangements to provide an unforgettable spiritual experience to devotees expected to visit the Godavari Pushkaralu in 2027. The holy festival will be held from June 26 to July 7 and officials are expecting a significantly larger turnout than in previous years.
Authorities are strengthening infrastructure by developing river ghats, improving roads and building rest houses to accommodate the large number of pilgrims who arrive to take holy dips in the Godavari river. During Pushkaralu 2015, nearly 50 lakh devotees took the holy bath in the district and officials expect the number to increase significantly this time.
Officials have undertaken development works at several ghats at an outlay of Rs 1.08 crore. Earlier, the district had 32 ghats and the authorities are now adding seven more ghats to cope with the expected increase in the number of pilgrims. Authorities have started major road works ahead of the event. A BT road from Siddantham NH to Dongaravipalem Resort will be constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, while another road from Siddantham Highway to Machenamma Temple in Peddamallam will cost Rs 4.2 crore.
Renovation of resorts, construction of birdhouses, play areas on several river banks and an iconic tourist park at Achanta are planned. The tourism activities will include Chinchinada Revu boating, water sports and adventure boating on the banks of Narasapuram Valandhara and Yelamanchili Chinchinada rivers. Officials are planning helicopter rides between Narasapuram and Chinchinada to attract visitors.
District Tourism Officer A Venkata Apparao told TNIE that the authorities are making arrangements on the lines of the Kumbh Mela held in Prayagraj. He said that the government has allocated 19.4 billion dollars for the works. Evening harathi, fireworks, laser show and cultural programs will also be organized to enhance the spiritual and festive atmosphere.
