The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Pushkaram spirit grips Beechupalli

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Pushkaram spirit grips Beechupalli

By N. Rahul

BEECHUPALLI, AUG. 24. The muddy waters of the Krishna are in full flow here as they wait to receive thousands of pilgrims for the Pushkarams beginning Saturday.

Authorities expect at least one lakh pilgrims to congregate here daily for the 12-day event. The bathing ghats on riverbanks are submerged in water and urchins are having a gala time, splashing water at each other. This place is next only to Vijayawada in terms of pilgrim rush.

Civil works like laying of roads are in full swing.

The statue of Krishnaveni (goddess Krishna) and a mandap are also being constructed on the banks.

A huge structure, meant to shelter pilgrims from rain, is nearing completion. Coconut heaps are seen beside the Ram temple.

A major challenge

The Joint Collector, A. Ashok, and other officials are supervising works, which are in final stages.

Mr. Ashok admits that regulation of traffic is the biggest challenge. Traffic has to be properly regulated from both ends of the two-lane bridge, which was witness to two major accidents in the past. Two buses plunged into the river on different occasions resulting in many casualties.

Though the Pushkarams are held at 14 spots along the Krishna in the district, a major congregation is expected here.The APSRTC will run 250 buses till here and the railways will add three coaches to the trains passing by.

Pushkarnagar, the large area adjoining the National Highway VII close to the bridge, has been cleared to provide parking facility. Many stalls are coming up in the vicinity.

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