GUNTUR: Old Amaravati and new capital Amaravati are the main attractions of Krishna Pushkaralu.
A big ghat would be constructed on the banks of Krishna river adjacent to the 125-feet height Dhyana Buddha at old Amaravati with continuous availability of water for one year.
A separate temporary canal from Krishna river will be constructed to provide water for 365 days to this ghat at Dhyana Buddha and further the ghat before the ancient Amaralingeswara temple which is one of the temples of the holy Pancharamas would be developed.
The Krishna Pushkaralu would start on August 12 and conclude on August 23.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is planning to construct Balaji temple in Rayapudi on the banks of Krishna river. Besides this, replicas of the all famous temples would be installed for Pushkaralu at the capital foundation place of Uddandarayunipalem. Hence, old and new Amaravati will be the main attractions of the Krishna Pushakaralu.
A team of officials is inspecting the ghats on the Krishna river from old Amaravati to Repalle on Thursday to know about ground-level problems.
Priest J.S. Avadhani said that old Amaravati is Amaramam and is one of the Pancharamas.
He said that devotees will give priority to Pancharamas. Hence, old Amaravati will see huge rush of devotees during the Pushkaralu. He said that usually Krishna river water touches ancient Amarlin-geswara temple but no water is seen this season. He asked the government to release water into Krishna river during 12 days of Pushkaralu.
Amaravati Development Authority chairman J. Veeranjaneyulu lamented that the union government released funds under Heritage City Augmentation and Development Yojana (HRIDAY) to turn the pride of Andhras ancient Amaravati into Heritage City in view of Krishna Pushkarlu, but there were no facilities for the devotees like changing rooms, rest rooms, toilets and the ghats are totally damaged. Mentioning about release of funds by the Union government for the Heritage City scheme, he asked the government to start renovation works making good use of four months time.
Tadikonda MLA of Telugu Desam T. Sravan-kumar said that the government is planning to give brand image to new capital Amaravati. Hence, replicas of the all famous temples would be installed at Uddanda-rayunipalem on the banks of Krishna river and this would be the attraction of the traditional Krishna Pushkaralu.
