Krishna Pushkaralu 2016

Krishna Pushkaralu is a festival of River Krishna which normally occurs once in 12 years. It takes place during the transit of Bruhaspati (Jupiter) into Kanya Rasi (Virgo Zodiac Sign). 

Vijayawada is located on the banks of the Krishna River. Vijayawada is very much famous for Krishna Pushkaralu. During the celebrations, devotees will take a dip in the sacred Krishna River to wash away their sins.

As per the legend, there lived a Brahmin in a village. He did severe penance towards Lord Shiva. As a result of it, Lord Shiva granted a boon because of which he was blessed with a power to purify the holy rivers. Thenceforth he was known as Pushkar (the one who nourishes). While traveling from one zodiac sign to another, Brihaspati aka Jupiter requested Pushkar to make the 12 sacred rivers holy. Various pujas and rituals were performed during the Pushkaralu.

The festival lasts as long as Jupiter remains in the corresponding zodiac sign. Major crowds will throng during the first 12 days. The first 12 days when the Jupiter enters the zodiac sign and the last 12 days when it exits the zodiac sign are considered as most auspicious. 

ABOUT KRISHNA RIVER:

The Krishna river is the fourth largest river, which is about 1,300 kilometers long. It originates from Mahabaleswar of Maharashtra and exits into the Bay of Bengal at Hamsaladeevi. The river flows through Karnataka and ends its journey in Andhra Pradesh before reaching its final destination viz., Bay of Bengal. En route, the river crosses Panchgani, Wai, Narsobachi Wadi and enters Karnataka at Kurundwad, and flows through Belgaum, Bijapur, and Gulbarga districts. Finally, it enters Andhra Pradesh near Deosugur and continues to flow through Mehbubnagar, Kurnool, Guntur and Krishna districts.

It has many tributaries and Tungabhadra is the principal one and the other ones include Mallaprabha, Koyna, Bhima, Ghataprabha, Yerla, Warna, Dindi, Musi, Dudhganga.

Krishna Pushkaralu Dates : 12^th August 2016 � 23^rd August 2016.

Religious Activies to be Performed During Krishna Pushkaralu

Pilgrims perform a variety of Religious Activities and Rituals during their Krishna Pushkaram 2016 visit.

Religious Activites :

1.     A holy dip in the river waters

2.     Prayers and offerings to the departed souls

3.     Performing rituals to the river goddess

4.  Performing ten Danams (Dasa Danam) in memory of the elders.

5.     Charity to the poor through Annadanam etc.

6.     Visiting temples and offering prayers

7.     Attend spiritual and devotional activities.

Rituals to be performed :

Here is a list of rituals generally performed at Krishna Pushkaram Ghats.

1.     Maha Sankalpam or Laghu Sankalpam

2.     River Krishna Pooja, Astotharam, Sariganga Snanam

3.     Pinda Pradanam or Thirdavidulu

4.     Swayampakam or Potharlu

5.     Moosivayanam

6.     Prayaschittam

7.     Danams: Tiladanam, Lavanadanam or Salagramadan

Krishna Pushakara Ghats in Andhra Pradesh

The Krishna Pushkaralu is a festival, which occurs for once in 12 years government Andhra Pradesh are planning heavy preparation for construction of pushkara ghats and promissing better and good connectivity for devotees during the pushkaram, so as to reduce the rush pilgrims.  

Ghats in Vijayawada  

Padmavati Ghat

Address : Padmavathi Ghat, PNBS, Vijayawada 

Durga Ghat

Address :  Durga Ghat, Foot over Bridge, Staircase, Vijayawada 

Pushkara Ghat 

Address :  VMC Office,PNBS 

Metela Bazar 

Address : Bandar Locks 

Sithanagarm  Ghat

Address : PNBS, Sithanagaram 

Punnami Ghat

Address:  Hotel Punnami, Kummaripalem centre 

Siva Ksheatram 

Address :Mandadam Center 

Ghats in Kurnool District

 Patala Ganga 

Address : Near Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple 

Sangamesswaram  

Address :  Atmakur mandal,Kurnool

Ghats in Guntur District

Dhyana Buddha Ghat  

Address :  Dhyana Buddha Ghat, Amaravati, AP 

Important Temples to visit 

Kanaka Durga Temple

 Indrakeeladri Hill, Vijayawada, Krishna District

Sri Venu Gopalaswamy  Temple

Hamsala Deevi village, Koduru Mandal, Krishna District 

 Sri Prudhweswara Swamy Temple

 Nadakuduru Village, Challapalli Mandal, Krishina District

Mopidevi Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple

Mopidevi Village, Krishna District

Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple

Srisailam Mandal , Srisailam, Kurnool Disrict

Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple

Amaravati, Guntur District 

Krishna Pushkaram Ghats in Telangana

Several ghats have been developed in Telangana region on the banks of Krishna River for the devotees to take a holy dip and perform rituals for ancestors Immerse in the holy waters of river Krishna.

• The ghats would come up at Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar districts along the banks of Krishna river.
• Mahaboobnagar District Krishna Pushkaralu places are: Jurala, Beechupalli, Rangapur, Alampur, Nadi Agraharam, Chintarevula, Nandimalla (Narayanpet), Krishna, Pasupula and Panchadev Padu (Maktal), Chellepad (Weepanagandla), Jataprole (Weepanagandla), Somasila (Kollapur), Malleswaram, Manchalakatta and Lingala.
• In Nalgonda District Krishna Pushkaralu places are: Nagarjunasagar, Wadapally in Damaracharla mandal, Mattapally and , apart from 5 places of Mellacheruvu mandal, Utlapally in Peddavura mandal, Adavidevulapally in Damaracharla, Mahankaligudem in Nereducharla are locations.

Special Trains For Krishna Pushkaralu 2016

The South Central Railway wished to provide special trains for river Krishna festival in Telangana and also at Andhra Pradesh. The Train details along with booking system will be announce soon.

TSRTC Special Buses for Pushakaralu

Usually, The Telangana Transport department planned to run special buses for Krishna Pushkaram 2016, The Fare charges and booking system will be annouce soon.

DO�s & DONT�s AT Krishna Pushkaralu 2016

Below are instructions for the piligrims who are going to attend Krishna Pushkaralu.

DO's

1.  Pilgrims are requested to use the bathing areas/ Ghats that are authorized by the Pushkaram administration for their safety and security.

2.  Pilgrims are requested to use the bathing places/Ghats nearest to their place of stay in pushkaram area or the city.

3.  If any unidentified or suspicious object is located, the pushkaram administration or the police control room should be informed about it.

4.  Pilgrims are requested to follow the traffic rules and regulations in the city and the pushkaram area.

5.  The directions and advice given through the Central Public Address System may be followed to avoid any inconvenience.

6.  Garbage should be thrown only in the dustbins.

7.  Pilgrims and travelers are requested to be appropriately attired considering the religious and cultural sensibilities of the event. The local service providers will be happy to give advice on this issue.

DONT's

1.  Use of plastic bags in pushkaram surroundings is prohibited by the Government.

2.  Washing of clothes on the river banks should be strictly avoided.

3.  Overcrowding of boats must be avoided.

4.  Pilgrims and travelers are advised not to encourage beggars.

5.  Use of soaps while bathing in rivers should be strictly avoided.

6.  Throwing of the materials used for worship or rituals in the river should be avoided.