Godavari Pushkaralu to begin in June 2015

• Endowments Minister says dates are finalised in consultation with pundits and Peetadhipathis
• Appeals to CM to invite PM to inaugurate mega event

Rajahmundry: The State government has almost finalised the dates for Godavari Maha Pushkrams in consultations with pundits, scholars of Hindu Dharma Sastra, swamijis and Peetadhipathis.

According to Minister for Endowments P Manikyala Rao here on Thursday, the Pushkarams would start on July 14 next year and would come to an end on July 25. He said there would be heavy rush of pilgrims.

Between 60 lakh and 1 crore pilgrims were expected to pour into Rajahmundry and Kovvuru to take part in religious rituals.

Speaking to reporters, the Minister said the pushkarams would be organised on the lines of Maha Kumbh Mela being held every year in Varanasi. The government, he said, would receive suggestions from any quarter. The district administration had identified 280 bathing ghats along the river Godavari in East and West Godavari district. As many as 100 of the 280 bathing ghats were newly-construct red, he said.

Manikyala Rao said the BJP had appealed to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate mega event.