Tungabhadra Pushkaralu to begin today in Telugu states, YS Jagan will inaugurate the festival

The Tungabhadra Pushkaralu is all set to begin from today. The priests have said that Pushkaralu will start at 1.21 pm and then continues the festival. Meanwhile, AP CM YS Jagan will inaugurate the Pushkaralu with special pujas at Sankal Bhag Ghat in Kurnool. The government has decided to maintain the festival in compliance with the regulations in the coronavirus background and made all arrangements to this extent. The government has constructed a total of 23 Pushkara ghats in the Tungabhadra river basin in Andhra Pradesh where the visitors are allowed from 6 am. to 6 pm.

The RTC has set up 43 buses from various parts of Kurnool district to Pushkar Ghats. The Tungabhadra River is currently flowing at a rate of 5,000 cusecs. The government has taken a special initiative to release water from the Tungabhadra Dam at the rate of 3,000 cusecs per day in addition to see to it that there is no water problem during the rush hour. On the other hand, the government refused to allow devotees to perform Pushkara baths in the river in the wake of the coronavirus effect. However, granted permission to those who have booked the slot through e-ticket. Devotees can book slots at Pushkara Ghats of their choice through the website.

On the other hand, the state of Telangana has also made arrangements for the pushkara of the Tungabhadra river. Pushkara ghats have been prepared in Alampur, Venisompuram, Rajoli and Pulluru areas of Jogulamba Gadwala district. Madhavananda Swamy, Chairperson of Thoguta and Kamalananda Bharathi Swamiji, Chairperson of the Hindu Temple Foundation will inaugurate the Pushkara on Friday at 1.21 pm. Ministers Indira Karan Reddy, Niranjan Reddy, Srinivas Goud and other dignitaries will be present on the occasion.

Pushkaras are allowed from 6 am to 5 pm. Children under 10, pregnant women and those over 65 are not allowed, officials said. The corona must be tested and certified negative. Devotees who do not bring a corona test report are allowed a thermal temperature screening if they are diagnosed with no fever symptoms. Authorities advised the devotees to follow the arrangements and procedures made at Pushkara in accordance with the covid guidelines.

"We are operating Pushkaras under tough conditions in the wake of covid. We perform with the utmost devotion without damaging the sentiments of the devotees. Those who have booked the slot through e-ticket can offer food in river. The government has taken all measures to ensure that there are no shortcomings in the management of pushkara. Devotees must cooperate to make this historic event a success, which takes place under special circumstances," Kurnool Collector Veerapandian said.