PM Modi greets Telugus attending Ganga Pushkaralu

Hyderabad/Varanasi: Devotees from two Telugu state’s Telangana and Andhra Pradesh got a rousing welcome at Ganga Ghat in Varanasi and were greeted virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

Addressing the devotees, who had gathered in the holy city from the two Telugu states, Modi started his speech in Telugu saying “Ganga Pushkaralu ki Vachina Bhaktula ki Subhabhivandanalu.” He regretted that he could not meet them personally due to his preoccupation, but he said Telugu people were always close to his heart. He thanked the Kasi Telugu Samithi which organized the programme.

Modi explained to the devotees how the people of Kasi had changed the face of the city and made the darshan of Kasi Vishwanath, Maa Annapurna and Kalabhairva a pleasant one.

He said the greatness of India was its religious oneness. If Kasi is known for the divine presence of Kasi Vishwanath, Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh was known for Mallikarujna and Brahmaramba Devi.

Similarly, Telangana is famous for goddess Rajarajeswari Devi.

He asked the devotees to enjoy the holy dip in Ganga and taste Banarasi chat, lassi and paan. He also asked them to take back souvenirs like wooden toys, Banarasi sarees and sweets. Modi said just as Etikopakka in Andhra is famous for wooden toys, Kasi was also known for wooden toys depicting the culture of the region.