Pilgrim turnout at all the ghats saw a steep fall on Tuesday, the third day of the 12-day Antya Pushkarams of the Godavari river owing to new moon day (Amaavasya). He also told them to make special arrangements at rural ghats like Ianavilli, Mukteswaram, Muramalla, Indupalli, Vadapalli, Ryali, Balabhadrapuram, Bikkavolu, Samalkota and Malikipuram. “The Aashadam is going to end on Tuesday and people who want to take a holy dip will take a break on this day which happens to be the new moon day. As people from even nearby places did not turn up, only thin crowds could be seen at the ghats. The month brings Goddess Lakshmi into our houses according to Hindu Dharma Sastras,” said Sriman Viswanatha Gopalakrishna Sastry.

Source: The Hindu August 03, 2016 00:00 UTC