Saraswati Antya Pushkarams to begin at Kaleshwaram today

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The 12-day Saraswati Antya Pushkarams will commence at Kaleshwaram on Thursday, with the Telangana government making elaborate arrangements for an estimated turnout of 30 to 40 lakh devotees.

The Pushkarams will be held from May 21 to June 1, with authorities implementing extensive infrastructure, transport, medical, sanitation and security measures to ensure smooth conduct of the religious festival.

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Pontiff of the Kanchi Peetham Jagadguru Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati are scheduled to take the inaugural holy dip at 5:43 AM on the first day, formally launching the Antya Pushkarams.

Officials stated that arrangements have been made based on lessons learned during the Saraswati Adi Pushkarams held last year. To help devotees cope with the intense summer heat, authorities have installed cooling canopies, coir mats, and to distribute ORS packets at the ghats.

A total of Rs.30.63 crore has been allocated for Pushkaram-related works, including development of roads, parking facilities, drinking water supply, sanitation and lighting infrastructure across 23 designated locations around the ghats.

Authorities have deployed 90 shuttle buses for devotees and stationed 100 expert swimmers, SDRF teams, safety boats and life-saving equipment along the riverfront to prevent mishaps.

Special medical camps have been established in 23 zones with the deployment of 300 doctors and paramedical staff, while ambulances have been positioned at key points. The Mahadeva Pur Primary Health Centre has been designated as the referral hospital.

The Endowments department is also establishing a special museum at a cost of Rs.1.20 crore, while the local Nagendra Swamy temple has been renovated with an expenditure of Rs.30 lakh. Daily homams, harati rituals, Teppotsavam and cultural programmes will be organised throughout the festival.

Officials said parking arrangements have been made for nearly 1.7 lakh vehicles across 245 acres. Around 200 CCTV cameras and special LED lighting systems have been installed at ghats and surrounding routes for security and crowd management. A media centre has also been established to provide the public with real-time updates on the Pushkaram events.

To maintain hygiene during the event, 500 toilets and two overhead water reservoirs have been set up, while 300 sanitation workers have been deployed for round-the-clock cleaning operations.