VIJAYAWADA: With over three crore people expected to attend the 12-day Krishna Pushkarams being held from August 12, the State Government is planning to utilise the mega event to promote tourism, especially religious tourism centres situated in the State.
The AP Tourism Development Corporation has identified various tourism circuits in and around Vijayawada, Amaravati and Kurnool, where the main event is being held.
According to APTDC officials, the corporation has prepared three tour packages exclusively for Krishna Pushkarams pilgrims. Of these, two will start from Tirupati and one from Visakhapatnam.
The Tirupati packages include Tirupati-Vijayawada-Amaravati-Undavalli caves-Tirupati and Tirupati-Srisailam-Mahanandi-Yaganti-Ahobilam-Tirupati. Visakhapatnam package will cover Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada-Pithwapuram (Kukkateshwara Swamy temple).
“We want the people to not only take part in the Pushkarams, but also see other religious and tourist places situated in the region. This is a good opportunity to promote our tourism centres,” a top official of the tourism department told TNIE.
Vijayawada, Vedadri, Mopidevi and Hamsaladeevi in Krishna district, Amaravati and Sitanagaram in Guntur district and Srisailam and Sangameswaram in Kurnool district will attract lakhs of devotees. Hence, the government is planning to set up special counters in these places to attract people towards the tourist destinations of the State, the official said. “Our aim is to make the pilgrims stay back after the Pushkarams and spend time at our tourist and religious destinations. This will help in promoting brand AP,” he said.
The State Government has made special arrangements for water sports, air-conditioned boats and cruise during the Pushkaram, the official added.