Amaravati: More than 5 Lakh pilgrims took a holy dip at various ghats on the fifth day of Krishna Pushkaralu in Guntur district. About 25,000 persons offered pinda pradanam at various ghats. The district administration pressed more officials into service after increase in the number of pilgrims. The number of pilgrims increased significantly at Amaravati, Tallayapalem, Penumudi Varadhi, Daida, Satrasala and Krishnaveni Ghat at Nagarjunasagar. Following a snake-bite incident yesterday in Vijayawada, officials took all possible precautions. Paramahamsa Vedananda Saraswati Maharaj of Tapovanam Ashram took a holy dip on Tuesday, along with his disciples at Seethanagaram Ghat. He explained the significance of dhyanam and its role in overcoming stress. He urged the people not to consume oil, sugar and salt. Saraswati Maharaj said he hailed from Uttarakhand and had learnt yoga at Mahavatar Babaji Ashram in the Himalayas, 35 years ago. Following instructions from the district administration, officials supplied drinking water to the pilgrims while NGOs supplied buttermilk and arranged free meals for them. Scouts, NCC cadets and NSS volunteers helped the elders reach the ghats. Seethanagaram Ghat in-charge P Srinivasulu interacted with the pilgrims and requested them to avail of the facilities provided by the district administration.]]>
