GODHAVARI PUSHKARALU (MAHA KUMBA MELA) – 2015
River Godhavari, also called as River Gowthami, is a sacred river and is popularly called as the Dakshina Ganga.
Godhavari Pushkaralu (Maha Kumbha Mela – this year), festival for River Godhavari which comes once in every 12 years, but for this year it comes as Maha Kumbha Mela which is held once in every 144 year. The Maha Kumbha Mela is the most Prominent, auspicious and revered religious fair for the Hindus everywhere, Godhavari Pushkaralu starts on 14.07.2015 And lasts for 24 days, on the shores of River Godhavari in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. Previously the Pushkaralu festivals were held in the year 2003 as Kumbha Mela.
The first 12 days of Godhavari pushkaralu is called as Aadhi Pushkaralu and the last 12 days of Godhavari Pushkaralu is called as Anthya Pushkaralu.
These 24 days are very pious to every devotee.
The foremost desire of every devotees / Pilgrims is taking a dip in the River Godhavari to get / would relief from all their sins during the Pushkaralu and also performs rituals to departed souls. It is believed that during pushkaralu all the Deities, Sages and Monks take holy dip; a holy dip in the River Godhavari will enhance one’s spiritual, mental and physical abilities.
The Kumbha Mela is a festival offered worship to 12 important Rivers in India which occurs for once in 12 years at each River.
The worship for the River, held as Kumbha Mela is based on the presence of Jupiter on which Zodiac sign by that time. The Kumbha Mela lasts for a period as long as the Jupiter remains in that particular Zodiac sign
Purana:
According to the Puranas, it is believed that Pushkarudu, also known as God Pushkar who is powerful to make any river holy will travel with Jupiter, travels from one Zodiac sign to another.
River Godhavari is believed to be originated at Trimbakeshwar near Nashik, as the result of vigorous penance done by sage Gowthama Maharshi.
GODHAVARI PUSHKARALU (MAHA KUMBA MELA) – 2015