With the D-day fast approaching for the closure of once in 12-years Godavari pushkaralu on Saturday, pilgrims were making beeline to all the temple shrines located on the shores of the Godavari after the holy dip as part of the ritual.
With only two days remaining for the closure of the 12-day pushkaralu festivities, the pilgrims from far flung places, mostly from Hyderabad, were seen coming in hordes to the ancient Kaleshwaram and Dharmapuri temple shrines in the district.
The roads leading to the Kaleshwaram and Dharmapuri were blocked with the arrival of several thousands of vehicles. Police had a tough time in regulating the traffic on the busy roads. Undeterred by the rains since Wednesday night, the pilgrims are taking holy dip in the river at both Kaleshwaram and Dharmapuri.
Crossing the slushy roads, pilgrims are taking holy dip in the river. In the meantime, the district authorities have stepped up their vigil by deploying more number of expert swimmers following the increase of flow of the river at these temple shrines due to rains. Minister for Home Nayini Narasimha Reddy along with his family members visited the Dharmapuri temple shrine and took part in holy dip amid chanting of Vedic hymns.
Later, he also offered prayers at the temple shrine. DGP Anurag Sharma is camping in Dharmapuri and overseeing the arrangements for the smooth flow of pilgrims rush. Similarly, Minister for Major Irrigation T Harish Rao along with his family members visited Kaleshwaram temple shrine and took holy dip.
