Hyderabad, July 30: The 12-day long `Godavari Pushkaram', occurring once in 12 years, was inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at Rajahmundry in east Godavari district today amidst chanting of Vedic hymns and festivities. The Chief Minister performed puja in knee-deep waters of the Godavari at a ghat at Rajahmundry, the main centre of the Pushkaram, marking the commencement of the Pushkaram known as `Kumba Mela of the south'.

Naidu, in his message on the occasion, asked the devotees to maintain the sanctity of Godavari which is a symbol of cultural integrity. Asking the devotees to take precautions and follow the rules framed by authorities while taking a holy dip in the river, he also urged them to take dip only in the ghats set up by the state government.

Meanwhile, state Governor Surjit Singh Barnala inaugurated the Pushkaram at the famous temple town of Bhadrachalam in Khammam district.

About 3.50 crore devotees are expected to take dip in river Godavari at different places in the districts of Nizamabad, Khammam, Warangal, Adilabad, Karimnagar and east and west Godavari. The state government has constructed nearly 200 ghats spread across these seven districts.

Bureau Report