Songs in praise of Krishna Pushkaralu

Rajamahendravaram: Padma Bhushan awardee Professor Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad has said that the Krishna Pushkaralu, the Hindu tradition associated with worship of River Krishna, got off to a grand start in State with lakhs of pilgrims thronging the Pushkar ghats.

He released ‘Pushkaralu Vachhenamma Krishnaveniki’ songs at an event in Telugu University Sahithya Peetham here on Saturday. The event was presided over by Brown Mandir organiser Sannidhanam Sastry.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the Pushkar ghats have been decked up to meet the rush of pilgrims. Explaining further, he said “Pushkaralu is a festival of rivers, 12 important ones in the country, occurring once in 12 years for each river.

The river for each year’s festival is based on the position of Jupiter in the Zodiac, the pushkaralu lasting for a period as long as the planet remains there. It is believed that Pushkarudu, or the Pushkar God, who is so powerful as to make any river holy, travels with Jupiter.”

He said during the first 12 days (Aadi Pushkaralu) of the festival, the river is said to be charged with medicinal properties and this helps sharpen the mind. Pilgrims from all over the country congregate to have a holy dip with the belief that they would be relieved of all sins. Also they perform rituals to departed souls. It is believed that all deities and sages are present here during Pushkaralu,” he added.

On this occasion, Yarlagadda lauded lyricist Gandluri Narayana Rao for beautiful depiction of civilisation and culture of the catchment area of the Krishna River from Mahabaleshwar to Hamsaladeevi.

He was all praise for singers G V Ramana and Surekha Murthy for rendering the songs in their usual melodious voices. He informed that Raka Cultural Society produced the CD in view of Krishna Pushkaralu. Later, Head of Telugu Sahitya Peetham Yarlagadda felicitated Irrigation officer G V Ramana.