AP all geared up for the grand fete

Godavari Maha Pushkarams

• About 5 crore pilgrims are expected to take holy dip at 268 ghats and free food arranged for 2 lakh devotees every day
• Along with 30,000 police personnel, round-the-lock electronic and air surveillance
• Today evening, a laser show at the Havelock Bridge on Godavari themes

Hyderabad/Rajahmundry/Eluru: Ghats dotted in yellow and red, with temples bedecked with innumerable electric colours along the banks of the river Godavari, stage set for the celebrations of Godavari Maha Pushkarams – 2015. Preparations for final leg of arrangements are in full swing at nearly 268 ghats, stretching from Polavaram to Antarvedi and Narasapuram, in East and West Godavari districts.

The celestial moment of the zodiac sign of Brihaspati (Jupiter) entering into Simha Rasi” (Leo) starts the auspicious start of Godavari Pushkarams at 6.26 am on July 14. According to official sources, reservation charts of 100-odd trains, including the special trains run by the South Central Railway, RTC and private buses are already booked by pilgrims from across the state.

Expecting a turnout of about 5 crore pilgrims this time around, elaborate security arrangements have been made with already about 30,000 police personal roped in for security duties. Leaving nothing to chance, an electronic surveillance, and aerial surveillance with the help of the drones have been deployed to keep monitor all important ghats and key places in Rajahmundry, Narasapuram and Kovvuru, which form the prime destinations for the pilgrims during the pushkarams. Also, 4,000 expert swimmers and about 400-odd boats are engaged for services at different ghats.

To take care of any unforeseen medical emergencies, the government has made elaborate arrangements at the government district hospital in Rajahmundry, and asked the private hospitals in the city, to earmark a part of their bed strength, as a buffer, to meet any eventuality.

This apart, categorizing the ghat’s on the basis of foot-falls-strength of pilgrims, the Medical and Health Department in both the districts have fanned medical personnel across various ghats with necessary medical stocks to provide treatment for pilgrims on-site.

Apart from deploying 1,250 personnel with Boat Ambulance in West Godavari, medical personnel would be working three shifts at all important ghats. Also, at all ‘A’ plus ghats, a four to five bedded medical base camps would be established. Pilgrims can also avail medical services at the special medical camps put up at railway stations, bus stands and other important places, the officials added.

Pushkar Nagars have been arranged to provide shelter to about 2 lakh pilgrims in Rajahmundry and 50,000 pilgrims in Kovvuru town. “May I Help You” desks have been set up by the police and voluntary organisations to guide and help the pilgrims at all junctions.

Nearly, 100-odd voluntary organisations, including NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides, Satya Sai Seva Samithi, Arya Vysya Seval Samithi, Rice Millers Association, RSS, VHP have pressed their volunteers to extend services to the pilgrims, with arrangements have been made in Kovvuru, Rajahmundry and Narasapuram to provide free food to more than 2 lakh people every day.

In all about 6,000 priests, including those coming from other districts, were issued identity cards to perform puja and ritual services, for pilgrims to offer pindapradanam and others at Rajahmundry, Kovvuru, Narasapuram.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu would launch the opening ceremony of the Godavari Pushkarams was all set unveil at Pushkar Ghat in Rajahmundry, on July 13th, evening, amidst a laser show on the Havelock Bridge on Godavari themes, traditional dance performance.