Hyderabad: Godavari Maha Pushkaralu, which is held once in 144 years, began with religious fervour and gaiety from Basar to Bhadrachalam across Telangana on Tuesday with lakhs of devotees taking a dip in the holy river.
Pushkaralu also brought long-awaited welcome showers across Telangana including Hyderabad and officials heaved a sigh of relief in view of availability of water at major Pushkara ghats.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, accompanied by his wife Sobha and close relatives, launched the 12-day Puskharalu after peethadipathis offered prayers to Godavari and took a holy dip thrice in the sacred river at Dharmapuri in Karimnagar district.
Mr Rao participated in the Sobha Yatra from Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple on the banks of the river at Dharmapuri where he offered prayers before taking a dip with family members. He also offered harathi and prayers to Godavari.
Godavari Maha Puskharalu is being held from July 12 to 25 in Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam where the river flows.
