Andhra Pradesh Gears Up for ₹4,026-Crore Godavari Pushkarams in 2027

Andhra Pradesh is preparing for the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams, with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu overseeing a ₹4,026-crore plan to accommodate an estimated 8 to 10 crore devotees—almost double the turnout from the 2015 Maha Pushkarams. The festival, set to begin on June 26, 2027, is expected to see nearly one crore pilgrims taking a holy dip on peak days.

The government’s blueprint includes upgrades to 259 existing bathing ghats and the construction of 181 new ones, spanning six districts: East Godavari, West Godavari, Konaseema, Eluru, Kakinada, and Polavaram. Notably, 82 ghats are planned in East Godavari and 175 in Konaseema alone. Thousands of individual works are underway, with the Finance Department already allocating ₹899 crore for preparations.

To manage the massive crowds, officials are deploying advanced technology such as AI-powered crowd analytics, drone surveillance, CCTV monitoring, and QR-based vehicle tracking. Safety measures include 2,697 rescue boats, expanded ambulance services, and 30 temporary field hospitals with laboratory facilities.

Chief Minister Naidu has called for integrated arrangements covering transportation, sanitation, drinking water, healthcare, and accommodation. He also emphasized the opportunity to promote the Godavari region as a spiritual tourism destination, directing the creation of a temple circuit linking Pithapuram Shakti Peetham, Pancharama temples, Dwaraka Tirumala, Annavaram, Vadapalli, and Antarvedi. Plans also include homestays, new hotels, a convention centre in Rajamahendravaram, and cultural programmes featuring Kuchipudi performances.

The state will introduce 487 green-energy buses and modernize 11 bus stations. Fifty of the 260 gram panchayats in the river basin will be developed as Model Pushkar Panchayats, with Muni Kudali in Seethanagaram mandal chosen for the pilot. Road improvements are planned to ensure smooth connectivity, particularly to the Polavaram Project. Naidu urged officials to accelerate all works, noting only 10 months remain before the festival.