Hyderabad: Forests, Environment and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha directed officials to ensure Godavari Pushkaralu arrangements prominently showcased Telangana’s identity, culture and traditions.
She said facilities planned for devotees should offer a spiritual experience while reflecting Telangana’s hospitality and cultural heritage. Therefore, officials were asked to organise the festival on a scale that projected the State as a distinctive Pushkaralu destination.
Surekha issued the directions after inaugurating the Special Officer’s office at Praja Bhavan in Hyderabad on Sunday. The government established the office on the building’s first floor to coordinate preparations for the major religious event.
The Godavari Pushkaralu were scheduled to be held in Telangana from June 26 to July 7, 2027.
After the inauguration, the Minister inspected various sections of the new office with Endowments Department officials. Subsequently, she conducted a review meeting with officials in the conference hall established on the premises.
Godavari Pushkaralu arrangements to highlight State culture
Surekha said Rajamahendravaram had traditionally remained the place most prominently associated with the Godavari Pushkaralu. However, she wanted the 2027 celebrations in Telangana to establish a distinctive identity for the State.
Accordingly, she instructed officials to organise the festival on a grand scale while highlighting Telangana’s unique traditions. She also stressed that the facilities provided to pilgrims should demonstrate the State’s cultural grandeur and hospitality.
The Special Officer’s office would serve as the central coordination point for the preparations, Surekha said. It would coordinate work among government departments, district administrations, local bodies and the Endowments Department.
A large number of devotees were expected to attend the Pushkaralu. Consequently, coordination among agencies would remain crucial for infrastructure development and the timely completion of essential works.
The office would coordinate the construction and improvement of bathing ghats. It would also oversee arrangements involving sanitation, drinking water supply and transportation.
In addition, officials would coordinate traffic regulation, security, medical services and uninterrupted electricity supply during the festival. These services formed part of the wider Godavari Pushkaralu arrangements planned for devotees.
The Special Officer’s office would also facilitate regular reviews of ongoing works. Through these reviews, officials would monitor progress and work towards completing projects within the prescribed timelines.
Surekha said this coordination mechanism would help the government conduct the Pushkaralu successfully. Moreover, regular monitoring would allow departments and local administrations to track the implementation of their assigned works.
Godavari Pushkaralu arrangements backed by ₹1,000 crore
Surekha welcomed Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s sanction of ₹1,000 crore for conducting the Godavari Pushkaralu on a grand scale.
The allocation would support the State’s preparations as departments worked on infrastructure and essential services for devotees. Meanwhile, the newly opened Special Officer’s office would coordinate the activities of the agencies involved in the festival.
Endowments Director Hanumantha Rao attended the inauguration and review programme. RJC Ramakrishna Rao and DC Krishna Prasad were also present.
Officials and employees from the departments concerned participated in the programme. Engineers, architects and contractors involved in the preparations also attended the event at Praja Bhavan.