Krishna Pushkaralu began today at 5: 58 AM, marking the entry
of Jupiter into Virgo (Kanya rasi), in grand style where thousands of Hindus enthusiastically
started taking holy dips at several pushkar ghats constructed along the banks
of river Krishna in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states.
The first dips were taken by holy seers and sages followed
by devotees and other politicians. Telangana chief minister K. Chandrashekar took
holy dip in the river Krishna river at Gondhimalla Ghat near Jogulamba temple
in Mahboobnagar district, while N. Chandrababu Naidu, chief minister of Andhra
Pradesh took holy dip at Durgha Ghat in Vijawada. Both chief ministers
performed the puja to river Krishna amid Vedic chanting.
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| Image courtesy: Eenadu |
Starting from its birth place Mahabaleshwar in western Maharastra,
Krishna river, the fourth longest in the country, passes through Karnataka,
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh before merging into Bay of Bengal at Hamsala Deevi,
by completing it journey of nearly 1400 kms all along its way.
Nearly
3
crore people are expected to take holy dip in river Krishna in this 12
day
long Pushkaralu. (August 12-23, 2016). Keeping in view of this, both
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states have made elaborate arrangements
for the celebration of Krishna Pushakaralu.
Telangana constructed total 80 bathing
ghats in Mahboobnagar and Nalgonda districts, while Andhra Pradesh put up 154
both in Guntur and Krishna districts.
Using technology to reach the devotees Telangana state
launched http://pushkaralu.telangana.gov.in/
and Andhra Pradesh government http://krishnapushkaram.ap.gov.in/
with relevant information about Pushkaralu like ghats, temple, transportation, helpline
and things to follow during this 12 day mega event.
As per scriptures, it is said that Pushkara is the son of
Lord Varuna, the presiding deity of all the rivers. The legend has it that,
once Pushkara prayed Lord Brahma and asked Him for a boon to live in the sacred
waters (emanated from the foot of Primordial Lord Sri Maha Vishnu) of His
Kamandalam with the intention of providing purity to all the Theerthas
(Rivers). Looking at the selfless desire expressed by Pushkara, Lord Brahma
granted him the boon to live in the waters of His Kamandalam. Later, Pushkara
also performed penance and acquired the Jala Tattva Siddhi from Lord Shiva as a
boon. By virtue of the boons acquired from Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, Pushkara
became the King of all Theerthas and was regarded as the Theerthapalaka.
Hindus believe that by taking bath in a Pushkara river will
help to cleanse the inner selves, wash out the evil tendencies and open up a
path for a righteous living.
The ideal time to take it is in the morning before sunrise
during brahmi muhurtham. After Pushkara Snana one has to pray and give Arghya
to the concerned Pushkara Theertha (River), Theertha Raja (Pushkara),
Brihaspathi, Lord Vishnu, celestial deities, sages and the Sun God.
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| Image Courtesy: Eenadu |
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.
The first twelve days are known as Adi pushkaram, and the
last twelve days are called Anthya Pushkaram. It is believed that during the
above period of twenty-four days, Pushkar will be traveling with Jupiter as it
moves from one Zodiac sign to another and will be making any river holy.
Krishna Pushkaralu commences on 12th August 2016 in the morning.
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