Tirunelveli: Celebration of Mahapushkarams for the rivers is an expression of the cultural unity of Indian sub-continent since time immemorial, said the Tamil Nadu governor, Sri Banwarilal Purohit.
Formally inaugurating the Mahapushkaram at Thamirabarani river in Papanasam at the foothills of the western ghats in Tirunelveli district on Thursday, the governor added that festivals like Pushkaram need not be avoided as they are religious.
“Indian culture has its roots in the ‘Vedas’, is more than 5000 years old,” said Banwarilal Purohit, adding, rivers in Indian culture was not just a source of water, “rather we revere our rivers as Gods.”
“The purpose of celebrating Mahapushkaram should motivate the people to keep our rivers clean to preserve them for our future generation,” he noted.
Moreover, responding to the complaints of the Sadhus about the state government’s indifference to the celebration of Mahapushkaram at Thamirabarani, Tamil Nadu governor said the Chief Minister had promised him to make all possible arrangements for the ‘Pushkaram’ festival in Thamirabarani for all the 13 days till October 23.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu governor, Sri Banwarilal Purohit had a holy dip in the river near the Papanasa Swamy temple to mark the formal commencement of the ‘Mahapushkaram’.
