Pushkaram (Pushkaralu) Festival

Pushkaram, also known as Pushkaralu, is a celebration of the 12-day Hindu festival which comes once every 12 years for each river. This event has been engraved in our culture since ancient times and is dedicated to the worship of the sacred rivers flowing through the holy land of India.

This jubilant spiritual celebration includes the 12 major rivers and lasts until Jupiter (Bhraspati) remains in the position of the zodiac sign of the rivers. Each river is associated with a zodiac sign, and as regional exceptions, there are multiple rivers connected to a single sign as well.

This festival carries a huge significance in South India, however, the first and last twelve days of the festival, called Adi Pushkaram and Anthya Pushkaram, respectively, are considered highly auspicious by devotees to take a bath in the holy waters. They believe that it will cleanse their sins and remove obstacles from their lives.

In this article below, we are going to deeply invest ourselves in its magnificent history, religious perception, culture, tradition, rivers, and more. To understand profoundly, we require you to read this exploration till the end.

Quick Facts

Here are some quick facts related to the Pushkaram or Pushkara (Kannada) festival:

• This huge gathering is a testament to the reverence of our ancestors.
• Thousands of devotees indulge in bathing, recitation of spiritual mantras, meditation, and prayers.
• It is celebrated with great splendor, organizing Bhajan Sandhya, adorning nearby temples, and cultural performances along the banks of the river.
• The celebration and ritual of the festival vary from region to region and are prominently celebrated in the Southern States.
• According to scientific beliefs, this practice brings a balance between nature and humans for leading a sustainable life.

History & Religious Significance

When we look back at its history, to the source of its celebration, we learn about a legend. It states that there was a Brahmin a long time ago who asked for a boon from Lord Shiva to cleanse all rivers. Then, he started bathing in each sacred river when Jupiter came in its zodiac sign. Since then, this turned into a ritual and has been spiritually celebrated on a large scale.

It is a highly revered festival that boasts a sense of unity by drawing millions of devotees along the one bank to perform rituals under the divine presence. This period, especially, is considered ideal for honoring your ancestors and helping them attain Salvation.

The water of the river under the position of Jupiter in its zodiac sign makes it highly sacred and potent. Moreover, it reflects the deep respect Hindus have towards these rivers and the respect for them being the life-givers for centuries.

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Rivers associated with Pushkaram

There are twelve divine rivers associated with the Pushkaram festival, each with a distinct zodiac sign. The position of the planet Jupiter decides the festival for each river. Let’s know these rivers:

Major Rituals & Festivities

Here are how major Rituals and festivities are performed during the Pushkaram event:

Snana (Holy Dip)

The primary and most significant tradition of the festival is to take a ritualistic bath in the sacred waters of the river and immerse ourselves completely in the god.

Religious towns of Haridwar, Varanasi, and Rajahmundry receive a huge crowd to perform this ritual.

Pitru pooja (Worship of Ancestors)

Among the special rites of the festival, the Pitra Pooja is supposed to be extremely beneficial. Devotees offer prayers, food, and other religious items to their departed ancestors, praying for them to achieve a great afterlife and rebirth.

Dana (Charity & Donation)

It is also believed that you should be involved in charities, such as feeding the poor, donating the necessary materials, and helping the needy people, as it will add good wealth and health to your lives.

Temple visit

Pilgrims also visit revered temples along the riverbanks and seek the blessings of the deity for their prosperous lives. Some of the devotees also prefer residing near the river, calling it their Kalpavas, which, according to them, is highly beneficial in the spiritual world.

Community Gatherings

The festival fosters large community gatherings and a vibrant atmosphere for those who come from the far regions of the country, reinforcing the cultural heritage of the religion.

Spiritual Activities

Some devotees keep their fasts for twelve days and even shave their heads out of pure devotion and respect for their God.

Locations & Celebrations:

Major Locations

Godavari Pushkaram:

• Celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bhadrachalam, Basara, Kaleshwaram, Narasapuram, Antarvedi, Dharampuri, Mancherial, and Kovvur.

Krishna Pushkaram:

• The prominent Ghats of the Krishna River include Vijayawada, Amaravati, Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam, Kurnool, Beechupally, and Raichur.

Narmada Pushkaram:

• Amarkantak and Maheshwar are key sites of Narmada Pushkaram.

Saraswati Pushkaram:

• Devotees who take baths in the Saraswati Pushkaram mainly go to Mana Village in Uttarakhand.

Tamraparni Pushkaram:

• In the Ghats of Tamil Nadu, including Banatheertham, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Papanasam, and Sinthupoondurai.

Tungabhadra Pushkaram:

• It is celebrated at Kurnool, Hospet, Kampli, Alampur, and Hampi.

Among all these Pushkaram Festivals, the Godavari River often expects millions of people, and it got over 10 million in the 2015 Maha Pushkaram. It is also called the “Maha Kumbh of South India,” given its spiritual and divine importance in Hinduism.

Conclusion

Pushkaram profoundly embodies the glory of the respect and reverence Hindus have not only for their God but also for the natural elements existing on the earth. It balances communal harmony and helps in the upliftment of spirituality among the Hindus.

The Pushkaram festival emphasizes our tribute to the sacred rivers of India, and thus, it ensures the preservation of India’s traditional and cultural legacy for upcoming generations.