Saraswati Anthya Pushkaralu Festival Opens at Kaleshwaram with Ceremonial Bathing

Kaleshwaram hosted the commencement of the Saraswati Anthya Pushkaralu festival on May 21, with thousands of devotees gathering to participate in sacred rituals at the confluence. The inaugural ceremonial bath occurred at 5:43 am, marking the beginning of festivities scheduled to run through June 1.

The opening ceremony drew prominent religious and political figures. Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swamy, pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, performed the first ritual immersion. IT and Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu attended with his wife, joining the sacred observance. Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, Endowments Commissioner Hanumantha Rao, and District Collector Rahul Sharma also participated in the ceremonial bathing.

Other attendees included religious adviser Govinda Hari, Bhupalpally MLA Gandra Satyanarayana Rao, and Rangareddy MLA Mal Reddy Rangareddy, who engaged in the Pushkar rituals alongside the gathered faithful.

The state government coordinated comprehensive support for the festival's duration. District authorities established security measures, sanitation facilities, potable water stations, medical services, and transportation options to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. District Collector Rahul Sharma noted that all relevant departments were collaborating to guarantee safe and orderly conditions throughout the auspicious period, ensuring pilgrims could observe the festival without impediment.