Bandi Seeks More Funds for Saraswati Pushkaralu
Bandi Sanjay described Kaleshwaram as a powerful and sacred place deserving better recognition, not only spiritually but also as a cultural and tourism hub
Warangal: The Congress government is prioritising the Miss World competitions over organising elaborate arrangements for the Saraswati Pushkaralu festival, alleged Union minister of state for home affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar. He made these remarks during his visit to Kaleshwaram in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district on Monday, accompanied by his wife Bandi Aparna.
The minister was welcomed by district collector Rahul Sharma and superintendent of police Kiran Khare, who presented him with a memento. After receiving a police guard of honour, the couple took a holy dip at Triveni Sangamam amid Vedic chants and later visited the Mukteshwara Swamy temple, where priests offered special blessings.
Speaking at the event, Bandi Sanjay criticised the state government for allocating only Rs.35 crore for the 12-day Saraswati Pushkaralu celebrations. He said the limited funds made it difficult for the district administration to manage the festivities effectively despite their efforts.
“If the BJP were in power, the entire South India would have celebrated Saraswati Pushkaralu on a grand scale,” he said. “While there is nothing wrong with conducting Miss World competitions, neglecting a spiritual event like Pushkaralu is unacceptable. The Congress government has utterly failed in organising the festival,” he pointed out.
Comparing the event with Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh, which attracted over 50 crore devotees with elaborate arrangements by the BJP government, he alleged that the state government was failing to host even 50 lakh pilgrims expected to visit Kaleshwaram for Saraswati Pushkaralu.
Bandi Sanjay described Kaleshwaram as a powerful and sacred place deserving better recognition, not only spiritually but also as a cultural and tourism hub. He criticised the previous BRS government led by K. Chandrasekhar Rao for tarnishing Kaleshwaram’s reputation through the Kaleshwaram project.
Highlighting unfulfilled promises, he said KCR had pledged `100 crore for developing the Kaleshwaram temple, while Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy promised `200 crore for both Kaleshwaram and Vemulawada temples. “Where those funds went, only the people know,” he added. He urged the Congress government to focus on transforming Kaleshwaram into a prominent spiritual tourism centre of the state.
