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A dip to wash their sins
Atonement of sins
I totally agree with the officials with regard to their views on the forthcoming Pushkarams. Pushkarams come only once in twelve years which indicate the significance and greatness of the event. Pilgrims not just from every nook and corner of the State but also from other parts of the country descend on the Krishna banks to celebrate the rare occasion. There is this common belief that a dip in the holy waters of river Krishna during the festival period is the best way to atone for sins in addition to its power to heal minor ailments. More importantly, pilgrims the Pushkar ghats mainly to pay respect to their ancestors by performing oblation in their memory. It is thus, easy to conclude that the city will witness a huge congregation of pilgrims participating in Pushkarams.
N.Prem Chand,
Guntur
State should exercise caution
Pushkarams is a traditional religious event which comes once in twelve years. Thus, people, especially the religious ones, make it a point to ensure their active participation in the rare event. For Godavari Pushkarams, the erstwhile Telugu Desam Party government in the State spent funds lavishly to make it a grand event.
While one feels that the TDP over-spent in its enthusiasm to gain mileage, the ruling Congress government should exercise caution not to take extreme decisions with regard to austerity measures. It should ensure proper facilities for pilgrims expected to throng the place during the period.
V.Siva Sankar,
C.S.College,
Guntur
Durga temple an added attraction
Yes, I fully agree with the official estimations. People across the State are well aware of the significance of Pushkarams. A majority of the people who visit the place believe that this is one way to atone for their sins. Though river Krishna traverses through the districts of Mahaboobnagar, Kurnool and Krishna before it flows into the sea at Hamsaladeevi, a tourist spot, river Krishna in Vijayawada is considered to be the most important of all because of the presence of the famous temple of Goddess Kanakadurga atop Indrakeelandri Hills. Moreover, the city is also well connected by road, rail and airways with all the basic amenities needed to cater to the needs of the pilgrims. Thus, it would not be an exaggeration to state that lakhs would take the holy dip.
Sankar Mahamkali,
S.V.H.College of Engineering.
Machilipatnam.
City to witness heavy influx
Yes, I feel that river Krishna would be thronged by at least two crores of people during the forthcoming Pushkarams. The officials are aware of the fact that the place is going to witness heavy influx during the 12-day period. Different reasons draw people from all walks of life to the river banks for a holy dip. If a section of them believe that their sins would be washed away with the dip, there are others who come here to get rid of chronic ailments. There is still a large section for which, being a part of the holy river during the 12-day event is in itself a great event to celebrate.
K.Rakesh,
ICFAI National College,
Vijayawada
Vijayawada will be their choice
Yes, there is no exaggeration in the official estimates that at least 3 crore people will crowd the Pushkar ghats during the 12-day period. Of these, a major chunk of the pilgrims are likely to choose Vijayawada mainly due to the presence of Goddess Kanakadurga temple. The total expenditure for Pushkarams is put at Rs. 210 crores, of which, Vijayawada has been allocated a sum of Rs. 13 crores. Thus, the nearly 100 bathing ghats set up across Krishna district are expected to attract huge crowds.
P.L.N.V.Pavan,
ICFAI National College,
Vijayawada
To serve dual purpose
Yes I feel the official estimates on the influx of pilgrims at the time of Pushkarams is right. Legend has it that a single holy dip in the Krishna during the Pushkaram season is equal to 60,000 dips in the Ganges Pushkarams come after a long gap of 12 years and last for a duration of 12 days. The main reason behind many a pilgrim choosing the Krishna banks is the dual purpose it serves. They could as well visit the famous Kanakadurga temple atop Indrakeeladri. The elaborate arrangements made by the district administration for the convenience of the pilgrims also encourage people to visit the place.
K.Madhavi,
M.B.A., 1st Year,
ICFAI National College.
A multi-purpose event
There is no reason to find a fault with the estimates of the district officials when they claim that lakhs would visit the city during the ensuing Pushkarams. A great deal of sentiments are attached with the 12-day religious fete. A visit to the city and a holy dip in river Krishna during the period is believed to be multi-purpose. The pilgrims seek the blessings of Goddess Kanakadurga who adorned the famous temple atop the Indrakeeladri hill. Moreover, it is the strong belief of the people which attracts them to the place to be a part of the grand event which comes once in 12 years.
Ch.K.V.Narayana,
M.B.A., 1st Year,
ICFAI National College,
Vijayawada
To free oneself of guilt
Yes, I believe that the official estimates that crores of people will take a dip in Vijayawada during Pushkarams is not far from the truth. The place witnesses heavy crowds by people who come mainly to absolve themselves of their past guilts. The belief that Lord Pushkar exists in the holy river Krishna for these 12 days and heals ailments of those who take a dip, draws huge influx.
Then there is Goddess Kanakadurgamma, the presiding deity of the temple atop Indrakeeladri hill on the town outskirts. The temple is very close to the Pushkar ghats which is one reason why devotees do not want to miss this opportunity which serves dual purpose for them.
D.Sunil,
M.B.A. 1st Year,
ICFAI National College
A moment of pride for city
Vijayawada should take pride in the fact that it has the opportunity to host such an important event. The city has witnessed a sea change in the last 12 years and thus, it goes without saying that the number of pilgrims thronging the place during the ensuing Pushkarams might just double this time. The city is all geared up to accord a warm welcome to the lakhs of devotees who are expected to throng the Pushkar ghats during the those 12 eventful days. People from across the State, especially from the coastal belt and the Telangana region are expected to visit the place for a holy dip in river Krishna. The major changes the city has witnessed in the past 12 years after the last Pushkarams include, road-widenings and construction of new structures like flyovers indicating development at a fast pace. The city has already begun to wear a festive look with officials expediting the beautification works. The APSRTC has announced that it would enhance its services by pressing into service 200 special buses for the 12 days while the Railways plan to run special trains for the convenience of the pilgrims coming from distant areas. Such hectic activity and the sincere efforts by the district machinery cannot go waste and I strongly believe that the place would witness heavy crowds for Pushkarams.
L.Kumar,
K.B.N College,
Vijayawada
Sanctity of river Krishna
There is a great deal of sanctity attached to Krishna Pushkarams which comes only once in 12 years. The Krishna Pushkarams is one such event which is eagerly awaited by a large section of people across the State. Hectic arrangements are made to ensure that the families don't miss to be a part of the 12-day religious event. The district machinery has made sincere efforts to ensure that the grievances of the pilgrims are looked into without any delay. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation has been working relentlessly for successful conduct of the event. Going by the feverish pitch of the works in progress, it is easy to conclude that the 12-day event would be a huge draw.
R.V.Raghava Satya Kumar,
Career Degree College,
Guntur.
Obeisance to departed souls
There are many traditional beliefs attached to the Krishna Pushkarams. The 12-day period is considered the best for paying obeisance to the elders in the family who have departed from us. Besides, one can absolve himself or herself of all kinds of guilt by taking a holy dip in Krishna waters as it is believed that Lord Pushkar, who exists in the holy river during the 12-day period, washed the devotees of all their sins. Goddess Kanaka Durga, the presiding deity of the temple on Indrakeeladri is yet another big attraction for the devotees who feel that their visit could serve the dual purpose of seeking Her blessings as well. Thus, there is no reason why one should dispute the official claims that a large number of devotees would visit the place in the Pushkar period.
K. Rajeswari Deepthi,
Sampat Nagar
Guntur.
Tardy pace of works resented
I beg to differ with the official claims on this front. The reluctance of the Congress government in the State to allocate funds for the special event may prompt a large section to keep away from it. Last year, we had Godavari Pushkarams wherein wide publicity was given to the event. The works undertaken were completed almost a month ahead of the actual event.
But same is not the situation now. Failure on the part of the government to release the required funds in time has thrown things out of gear. Many works are still being carried out when we are just days ahead of Pushkarams.This, I feel, would discourage many a pilgrim from visiting the river during this round of Pushkarams.
Nandivada Sunil Kumar,
Vijayawada
Lured by Pushkarudu
It is a common belief that `Pushkarudu' dwells in the holy Krishna during the 12-day Pushkarams. I feel that this one reason is enough for people from across the State to visit the place for a holy dip to seek His blessings. There are others who go to the bathing ghats just to have fun with friends. After all a dip in the early hours in river Krishna with your near and dear ones does not sound like a bad idea. Moreover, the river and its surroundings are given a facelift for this grand occasion. A visit to such a colourful and eventful spot can never be boring. Thus, people will definitely visit the place, though for different reasons.
G. Pushpa Madhuri
RVR&JC College of Engineering
Guntur.
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