Godāvarī 2027: Rajamahendravaram plans water for 80 lakh daily bathers as Nashik seeks corporate partners for Simhastha
The same river and the same planetary sign put two of India's largest bathing festivals on the calendar in 2027, one at each end of the Godāvarī.
- The Hindu
- UNI
The Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation plans 3,000 drinking water kiosks and 32,000 tap outlets for devotees at the Godāvarī Puṣkaram in 2027, The Hindu reported. An estimated 80 lakh devotees are expected to take a holy dip in the city every day during the opening days of the festival.
Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board chairman R. Krishnaiah reviewed preparations with East Godavari district officials and the corporation on Thursday. Corporation Commissioner Rahul Meena said the plan aims to provide three litres of water per person, with kiosks refilled round the clock.
Devotees will find drinking water within half a kilometre along the river banks and near the ghats, as well as at pilgrim camps, railway and bus stations, parking areas and walkways. District Collector Ch.
Kirthi said alternatives to plastic plates and bottles would be explored, and Krishnaiah suggested refill points to cut plastic waste. He asked officials to finalise the action plan by the end of October.
Upstream in Maharashtra, the Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority held a "Simhastha Partners, CSR CEO Meet" on Wednesday to bring companies into preparations for the Simhastha Mahākumbh 2027, UNI reported. The authority is seeking corporate help in healthcare, sanitation, waste management, environmental protection, digital technology and public amenities.
Commissioner Shekhar Singh and Additional Commissioner Pramod Pawar attended, and the authority asked firms for technical expertise as well as funds.
Key data
Rajamahendravaram: 3,000 water kiosks, 32,000 taps, 3 litres per person, water within 0.5 km of ghats; about 80 lakh bathers a day expected in the opening days. Action plan due by 31 Oct. Nashik CSR meet held 21 Oct.
Why it matters
Both gatherings will draw crores of pilgrims to the Godāvarī within months of each other, and their planning now on water, waste and corporate partnerships will decide how safe and clean the snāna is for ordinary devotees.
GK: did you know?
Both festivals are timed by Bṛhaspati (Jupiter) entering Siṃha rāśi, which recurs about every 12 years; the Godāvarī rises at Brahmagiri near Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district.
