Krishna Pushkaralu is a festival of River Krishna which normally occurs once in every 12 years and is celebrated with much glory. The Pushkaram has been an age old practice in southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, during which pilgrims would take dip in Krishna river. The festival is usually observed for a period of 12 days, and this year, the government of Telangana State announced to organize Krishna Pushkaralu form 12th August to 23rd August 2016.

Telangana government is making elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of Krishna Pushkaram festival this year. This is the first time, the Krishna Pushkaram is being organized on a large scale in the newly formed state of Telangana

According to an official report, as many as 52 ghats – 10 major, 15 minor and 27 local ghats were set up in Mahabubnagar district alone as many devotees are expected mostly from Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and bordering districts of Telangana for the holy dip.

“Around 6,720 police personnel will be deployed – 3,920 are from other districts and 2,800 from Mahabubnagar. As many as 7,000 security personnel will be deployed in Nalgonda district where 28 ghats have been set up for the pilgrims. Also, 375 CCTV cameras are installed at 25 ghats and major highway junctions with main control room at Beechupally and DPO Mahabubnagar, and sub-control rooms at each ghat,” the report said.

Telangana Chief Minister KCR is also expected to take the holy dip at Gondimalla ghat and visit Jogulambda temple in Alampur on Friday morning.

 The Mahabubnagar district police has also created a Facebook Page to disseminate crucial information about the ghats, routes, traffic advisories, emergency contact information, etc. Also, TSRTC will be plying special buses to various ghats in Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts.

Krishna Pushkaralu 2016 Dates, Pushkar Ghats in Telangana:

• Starting Date: 12 August 2016
• Ending Date: 23 August 2016
• Celebrating Days: 12 Days

Districts: Mahaboobnagar, Nalgonda

• Ghats in Vijayawada: Durga Ghat, Pushkara Ghat, Padmavathi Ghat, Metla Bazar, ithanagaram Ghat, Punnami Ghat, Siva Kshetram
• Ghats In Kurnool District: Patala Ganga (Srisailam), Sangameswaram River
• Ghats in Gadwal, Mahaboob Nagar Juraala, Beechupally.
• Ghats in Karnataka: Chikodi (Bagalkot), Raichur (Krishna Taluk)