The Andhra Pradesh government, inspired by the Maha Kumbh Mela, has announced the Akhanda Godavari tourism project to host the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu, aiming to attract millions of devotees and tourists. The project, covering key sites like Havelock Bridge and Pushkar Ghat, will be launched in June by Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and is designed to boost spiritual and cultural tourism across the Godavari region.

Taking inspiration from the Maha Kumbh Mela, held earlier this year, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Andhra Pradesh is developing a comprehensive Akhanda Godavari tourism project to host the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu celebrations.

The foundation stone for the project will be laid by the first week of June by Jana Sena Party (JSP) supremo and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who shows immense interest in religious activities, and Rajahmundry MP and Bharatiya Jana Party (BJP) state president Daggubati Purandeswari.

The project is being undertaken to celebrate the Godavari Pushkaralu on a grand scale.

Similar to the Maha Kumbh Mela, the Godavari Maha Pushkaram occurs once every 144 years, the last of which was celebrated in 2015. The Godavari Pushkaram itself takes place once every 12 years.

Tourism Minister and JSP leader Kandula Durgesh told media persons on Monday, 26 May, that the Akhanda Godavari project will further boost religious tourism in the combined East Godavari district.

Tourism infrastructure push

The Akhanda Godavari project is a comprehensive tourism initiative covering Havelock Bridge and Pushkar Ghat in Rajamahendravaram.

A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has been apprised about the project.

Durgesh said that the tender process for some works has already been completed.

“Full-scale tenders will be finalised soon. The historic Havelock Bridge will be attractively renovated, while Pushkar Ghat will be developed as a spiritual hub. Beautification works are underway at Bridgelanka,” he said.

“The aim is to globally showcase the beauty of Kadiyam Nurseries. Kovvuru Goshpadakshetram will be revamped to attract international tourists. Nidadavolu, along with Kota Sattemma Temple, will be developed as tourist destinations.”

According to official sources, the project seeks to leverage the natural beauty, cultural significance, and spiritual importance of the Godavari River, referred to as “Akhanda Godavari” before it splits into the distributaries of Gautami and Vashista near Rajamahendravaram.

The project aims to develop riverside towns, islands, and heritage sites to attract domestic and international tourists.

It also seeks to improve and create infrastructure for the Godavari Pushkaralu, which is expected to draw two to three crore devotees.

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Integrated development

The Tourism Minister also said tenders for the Gandikota project in YSR Kadapa district have been finalised, and works will commence shortly.

The Centre has cleared the project to develop Gandikota as the ‘Grand Canyon of India’, which will generate better employment opportunities. The hills and valleys in the region are ideal for adventure tourism activities.

He said steps have been taken to modernise the stunning Suryalanka Beach in Bapatla district.

Funds have been sanctioned by the Union government, and beachfront development will begin soon. The natural beauty of Suryalanka Beach will be further enhanced.

He stated that, once completed, the beach could emerge as a national tourism hub.

He further said that Gajendra Singh had assured more projects will be allocated to Andhra Pradesh.

The minister revealed that four to five DPRs are ready, and approvals are expected to be granted based on feasibility.

A plan has been devised to take up a few PPP (Public-Private Partnership) projects and two to three central projects annually.

The minister announced that ‘tent cities’ will be established near 21 major pilgrimage centres across the state, ensuring accommodation for tourists along circuit-based routes.

Following the recent tourism review meeting, plans are being prepared as per the directives of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Priority is being given to setting up tent cities and homestays so that tourists can spend two to three days at these destinations. Traditional manduva logili huts will be leased to promote rural tourism