Saraswathi Pushkarams begin at Kaleswaram

Karimnagar: District Collector Smita Sabharwal launched Saraswathi Pushkarams at Triveni Sangamam at Kaleswaram in Mahadevpur mandal of Karimnagar district on Thursday.

Vedic scholars performed pujas to 12 kalasams. Pundits, chanting Vedic hymns, started from Kaleswara-Mukteswara temple in the village with 12 `kalasams', went to Triveni Sangamam � the confluence of Godavari, Pranahita and Saraswathi rivers near the village --- and brought water in the kalasams from Triveni Sangamam. They organised `Abhishekam to the deities and launched the Pushkarams. Ms Smita Sabharwal, leaders and officials participated in the pujas at temple and also at Triveni Sangamam.

Due to lack of adequate publicity by the temple authorities and officials and due to summer, there was moderate number of devotees at the temple on the first day. Collector said that the festivities would continue till June 10. The district authorities have made necessary arrangements for the visit of pilgrims to the temple during the 12 days. More number of devotees are expected after June 5, she said. A tourism boat would be pressed into service on Godavari for boat riding facility by visitors, the Collector added.

A large number of devotees had holy bath in the river and had the darshan of deities on the first day.