Pushkar Kumbh and Saraswati Pushkaralu Festivals

Current Context: Two annual river-based festivals—Pushkar Kumbh in Uttarakhand and Saraswati Pushkaralu in Telangana—are currently being celebrated at their respective sacred river confluences.

About Pushkar Kumbh (Uttarakhand):

• Timing: Every 12 years when Jupiter enters Gemini.
• Location: Keshav Prayag, Mana village, at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Saraswati
• Religious Significance:
  • Site where sage Vyasa is said to have composed the Mahabharata.
  • Visited by saints Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya for divine insight from Goddess Saraswati.

About Saraswati Pushkaralu (Telangana):

• Timing: Every 12 years when Jupiter enters Gemini.
• Location: Triveni Sangamam, Kaleshwaram (Godavari, Pranahita, and hidden Saraswati rivers meet).
• Highlight: Devotees take a holy bath and worship at Sri Kaleshwara Sri Mukteshwara Swamy Temple.