Andhra Pradesh government allocates Rs 200 crore for Tungabhadra Pushkaralu

ANANTAPUR: Tungabhadra Board yet to decide about role in upcoming Tungabhadra Pushkaralu even as AP state government has top priority to perform in grand manner at Tungabhadra river bed spread in state. The state government had allocated Rs.200 crore towards towards Tungabhadra pushkaralu. Works are going on at main ghats and historic areas and temples in AP.

 The Tungabhadra river, after both Tunga and Bhadra rivers join and enrich at Tungabhadra dam near Hospet in Bellary district. The river passes towards Srisailam in Kurnool district through Vijayanagar Empire Hampi in Bellary district and Raichur districts of Karnataka and splits Karnataka and AP at historic spiritual centre Mantralayam.

One side of the river is in Raichur district in Karnataka while the other bed is in Mantralayam in Kurnool district of AP where 350 year old Guru Raghavendra Swamy math is located. In addition, Bichali, another historic spot is located in AP borders in Raichur district where saint had spent more than 12 years and entered alive into Brindavan at Mantralayam.

Math pontiff Sri Subbudendra Theertha said math was taking all necessary steps to provide facilties for devotees at Mantralayam. Pontiff was inspecting the ongoing works at river bed because huge number of devotees expected. Math authorities had invited chief ministers of both states of AP and Karnataka to take part in inauguration of pushkaralu.

With AP government was setting of pushkar ghats at Mantralayam and Kurnool, the Karnataka government was also planning to provide necessary facilities at Hampi and Raichur districts, sources said. "A big number of centuries old historic temples and tombs situated on banks Tungabhadra river in surrounding Hampi", Dhananjay from Hampi observed and added huge number of devotees and tourists likely visit Hampi during pushkara period.

Tungabbhadra Board has not taken any decision about role in pushkaralu to be held after 15 years. Top official from Board said no proposals sofar about the upcoming pushkaralu. However, the AP irrigation department asked to release water into river from TB dam.

Similarly, Anantapur and Kadapa districts had no involvement in pushkaralu even as Tungabhadra High Level Main Canal flows up to Pulivendula from TB dam through Bellary and Anantapur districts. Only , Kurnnool district is concentrated based on river flowing. HLMC flows for more than 100 kms in the district and fills Penna Ahobilum Balancing Reservoir, Mid Pennar Dam and five centuries old tanks with Tungabhadra water.

It may be noted Krishna pushkaram was celebrated at Jeedipalli reservoir in Belaguppa mandal two years ago.