The rivers of India have been closely associated with our history and civilization. Entwined with spirituality and philosophy, they have always been worshipped as personifications of divinity. The places located at the course of rivers are treated as sacred. Since time immemorial river worship is known as Puhkaram to make the people realise the importance of water, the life-sustaining force. Pushkaram is a holy happening once in every 12 years at each of the 12 major rivers of India, the Godavari being one
among them. Every 12th year Jupiter’s entry into the constellation Leo marks the
Pushkaram for Godavari. It is believed that during this period all deities with the rishis (holy men) enter the particular river for a holy dip. It is a belief that the rituals like
snana
(bath),
dana
(charity),
japa
(recitation),
archana
(worship) and
dhyana
(meditation),performed during Pushkaram bless the people in every sphere of their lives .
Andhra Pradesh extended a hearty welcome to all pilgrims and tourists who arrived for the Godavari Pushkaram which began on 14th July, 2015 and ended on 25th July, 2015. Enriched with abundant cultural heritage, Andhra Pradesh boasts of many temple towns on the banks of the Godavari river. Pushkara Mahotsavam was held at nine prominent temple towns in the State. They were Kovvuru in West Godavari and Rajahmundry, Pattiseema, Drasksharamam and Antharvedi in East Godarvari districts. A large number of pilgrims converged in these places. To give a wide publicity to the festival, the State Tourism Department organised literary and cultural programmes at all the temple towns along with exhibitions. Ethnic Food Festivals were an added attraction. The literary and cultural programmes included religious discourses, devotional music, poetic symposia, dance ballets, stage plays, and various other popular forms of entertainment.
