| Godavari Maha Pushkaram | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Godavari River at sunset at Rajamahendravaram | |
| Genre | Hindu festivals |
| Frequency |
|
| Venue | |
| Location(s) | Godavari River |
| Country | India |
| Previous event | 14 August 2015 |
| Next event | 2027 |
| Participants | 11 crore (6.4 crore in Andhra Pradesh and 4.6 crore in Telangana) (official)[1] |
| Area | Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh |
| Budget | INR 2300 crores (in 2015) |
| Activity | Holy river dip and worship at the temples on the banks of the river |
| Website | godavarimahapushkaram.org |
| Part of a series on |
| Hinduism |
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Godavari Maha Pushkaram (lit. 'Great Worship of the Godavari River') was a Hindu festival held from 14 July to 25 July 2015. This festival occurs once every 144 years, corresponding to the 12th recurrence of the 12-year Godavari Pushkaram cycle.[2]
The festival starts from the Ashadha (June/July) month on the Chaturdashi day (thithi) (14th day), when planet Jupiter enters the zodiac sign of Leo.[2][3] The festival is "theoretically" observed throughout the twelve months that the planet remains in that sign, but the first 12 days are considered most sacred.[4][2][5][3] The first 12 days of the Godavari Pushkaram are known as "Aadhi Pushkaram" and the last 12 days are titled "Anthya Pushkaralu".[6] The next Maha Pushkaram will be celebrated in 2159.[2]
At least 27 pilgrims, 13 of them women, died and 20 others injured in a stampede at a major bathing spot on the banks of the Godavari river where a huge crowd of devotees had gathered on the opening day of 'Pushkaram' festival.[7]
- ^ "Over 11 crore took dip in Godavari during 12 days". Business Standard India. IANS.in. 26 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Godavari Maha Pushkaram 2015". Official website of Godavari Mahapushkaram Organization. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ^ a b Dalal 2014, p. 921.
- ^ "CM Chandrababu reviews Godavari 'Maha Pushkaram'". Eenadu India.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
- ^ Ranee Kumar (26 July 2003). "Holy Dip". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 July 2016.
- ^ Pillai 1996, p. 14.
- ^ "Business News Today: Read Latest Business news, India Business News Live, Share Market & Economy News".