Join the pilgrims as they take a holy dip in the Godavari river during the Godavari Pushkaram (Pushkaralu) festival starting on July 14, 2015. The festival will be held mostly in Telengana and Andhra Pradesh. The river Godavari, which rises in Trymbakeshwar, near Nasik in Maharashtra, flows through Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to join the Bay of Bengal it is said to be second longest river in India. The festival, which is held once in 12 years, has been termed Maha Pushkaram as this is the 12th occurrence of the 12-year cycle, something which occurs once in 144 years. People take a holy bath in the river and perform various rites. The pilgrim town of Bhadrachalam, which has the maximum number of &lsquoghats&rsquo on the river is expected to receive the largest number of visitors, and traffic restrictions will be imposed. Another place to watch the festival is Rajahmundry. Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation has announced several tour packages from Hyderabad (details available on Toll Free no. 1800 425 46464) to cover the major destinations associated with the festival.

Telengana-based airline TruJet will also launch their inaugural service on July 12 between Hyderabad and Rajahmundry to coincide with the festival. Until July 25, it plans to operate festival-special daily flights connecting passengers from Hyderabad, Chennai and Benglauru to Rajahmundry.