Krishna Pushkarams: The River Fete

By Darwin Chatla

India is such a magnificent country known worldwide for its unity in diversity. Being world’s one of the biggest democratic nations, India is also known for variety of festivals, some of them have global fame too. Krishna Pushkarams is one such mega event. The Krishna River is flowing through the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravathi, located near Vijayawada which is the second largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh after Visakhapatnam. Many of devotees throng at Durga Temple, Pushkara Ghat, Padmavati Ghat, Punnami Ghat, Siva Kshetram in Vijayawada. They take a holy dip in the river which is said to bestow salvation to the devotees and absolve them off sins and sufferings. Such is the religious magnificence of Krishna Pushkarams.

The River
Krishna River is the fourth largest river in terms of water inflow and river basin area in India. It extends almost 1300 km which is nearly 8% of the total geographical area of the country. River flows from west to east through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states to join the Bay of Bengal.
The Krishna originates in Mahabaleshwaram near the Jor village in the extreme north of Wai Taluk in Satara District, Maharastra. It flows through the state of Karnataka before entering Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is the second largest riverine system after Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. It empties into the Bay of Bengal at Hamasaladeevi near Koduru, Krishna district.

Hindus believe that the Krishna is not merely a life giving but a life supporting river. Bathe in the river, drink its holy waters and have one’s ashes scattered over its surface are the greatest wishes of every devout Hindu.

The Fete
Pushkar is a festival of rivers, occurring once in 12 years. The festival of river is based on the position of Jupiter in the Zodiac, the Pushkar lasting for a period as long as the planet remains there. It is believed that Pushkarudu, or the Pushkar God, who is so powerful as to make river holy and travels with Jupiter. The Krishna Pushkar is observed for a period of 12 days from the time of entry of Jupiter into Virgo (Kanya rasi). The 12-day festival starts from August 12 and ends on 23.

The Good
The Krishna Pushkarams is a congregation of Hindu people. Pilgrims believe that taking a holy dip will cleanse all sins and help bring salvation. The people attend this festival forget all disparities. Hindus believe that the Krishna is not merely a life giving but a life supporting river. Bathe in the river, drink its holy waters and have one’s ashes scattered over its surface are the greatest wishes of every devout Hindu. According to an ancient Sanskrit verse, the people who participate in the Pushkarams and bathe become free from temporal bondage and get spiritual salvation.

The Bad
Unfortunately, the crowd at times during Pushkars becomes unmanageable. Stampede results with many people losing their lives. At Kumbha Mela, Allahabad, as many as 800 people died and many people injured in a stampede on February 3, 1954 due to a surging crowd broke the barriers. At the Maha Kumbha Mela at Hardwar, 47 persons were killed in a stampede on April, 14, 1986. This tragedy occurred when thousands of pilgrims rushed for a holy bath at the Brahma Kund (Hardwar). This was not the first to end in tragedy during such type of festivals. In the past also, there have been many worse tragedies resulting in much heavier loss of lives. As many as 27 pilgrims died in a stampede during Godavari Pushkars last year.

During Pushkaram events, congregation of such a huge gathering without proper arrangements is resulting in stampedes. People attending with children and elders have to avoid taking holy bath in crowded ghats and leave the ghat as soon as possible after holy dip.
Water quality of the river during such Pushkarams is also one of the important aspects. The flowers and other materials thrown into the river create river pollution and harm the aquatic life. So public must be aware of the consequences of polluting the river. During Pushkaram period, it is necessary to inculcate awareness on river pollution and its consequences among the people. Maintaining river water quality and checking unforeseen incidents such as instances of stampedes should go hand-in-hand so as to make Pushkars a memorable affair.

darwin.chatla@gmail.com