Temples along Godavari spruced up
July 7, 2015
Chief Minister to announce start of Pushkaralu on July 14 at Karimnagar
Ancient and historic Sri Laxminarasimha Swamy Devasthanam located on the picturesque shores of river Godavari is being spruced up for the once in 12 years Godavari Pushkaralu, which would begin from July 14 onwards.
It is stated to be the Trimurthi Ksethram (because of location of presiding deities of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara in the temple. It is believed that the pilgrims who take a holy dip in the river and offer prayers to the presiding deities would get rid of all sins. At this temple, the river flows from north to south direction and hence the river is also called as Dakshinvahini. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao would announce the commencement of Godavari Pushkaralu at Dhramapuri temple on July 14 by taking a holy dip.
The district authorities have intensified various developmental works to provide better amenities to the pilgrims.
The authorities have been completing the internal roads, drains, water tanks, bathing ghats, electrification of the river shores, etc.
Dharmapuri temple Executive Officer N. Supriya told The Hindu that they were making all arrangements for the benefit of pilgrims who would throng in lakhs during the Pushkaralu.
There were only two Pushkar ghats during the 2003. But, this time the authorities had constructed three additional new ghats for the benefit of devotees and made arrangements for the smooth conduct of all rituals such as pinda pradhanam, shraddha puja, Sariganga Snanam, etc. by mobilising 500 priests, she added.
Where Yama is worshipped
Dharmapuri temple in Karimnagar district, is the only temple in the entire country where Lord Yama Dharmaraja (God of death) is worshipped by the devotees.
It is believed that the people who take a holy dip in river Godavari and offer prayers to Lord Yama won’t go to “Yamapuri’ (hell) after their death.
According to the temple sources that the devotees would throng in large numbers to offer special prayers to the Lord Yama Dharmaraja during the Godavari Pushkaralu.
Source: thehindu