Godavari Pushkaram, the “Kumbha Mela of the South” Attracts Hundreds of Thousands of Pilgrims

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HYDERABAD, INDIA, July 30, 2003: Hundreds of thousands of devotees took a holy dip in Godavari river at the start of the 12-day Godavari Pushkaram in Andhra Pradesh, India. The Pushkaram is revered as the “Kumbh Mela of the South,” and occurs once in 12 years. State officials said over 35 million pilgrims are expected to visit the state for a holy dip in Godavari during this period. The district of Rajahmundry alone is set to attract over 25 million visitors. Elaborate arrangements have been made by the state government to ensure smooth conduct of the Mela. Over 200 bathing ghats have been erected at various places spread over seven districts of East Godavari, West Godavari, Nizamabad, Khammam, Warangal, Adilabad and Karimnagar.