Pushkaram: Jail inmates 'purified' with Godavari water

RAJAHMUNDRY: Several inmates of Rajahmundry Central Prison were 'purified' with the holy water of Godavari river in the jail premises after they were denied permission to attend the ongoing 'Pushkaram' festival here.

Nearly 1,570 jail inmates, including about 500 women, had sought permission from the concerned authorities to take a holy dip in the river as part of the Godavari Pushkaram.

"The inmates requested the jail authorities to give permission for a holy dip in river on account of it being 'Godavari Maha Pushakaram,' which occurs once in 144 years. The jail authorities brought the request to the notice of the government. The permission was not granted to them due to security reasons," Central Jail Superintendent M Vara Prasad told PTI.

In view of this, seers of Ahobila Mutt yesterday brought the holy water from Godavari river and sprinkled it on the inmates and 'purified' them, he said.