AP govt to invite Prez, PM to attend Godavari 'pushkaram'

Andhra Pradesh government would invite President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Godavari river 'pushkaram' (Kumbh Mela) to be held in July.
Observing that the state government has already sent letters inviting the two top leaders to attend the event, held once in twelve years, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said he would soon go to Delhi to personally invite them, according to a state government release.
The state government has written a letter to the Centre to treat the festival as a national festival.
The 'pushkaram' is expected to be attended by several lakhs of people, especially in the 'ghats' located in East Godavari and West Godavari districts, where Godavari river is huge in size.

Godavari river, which originates at Nashik in Maharashtra, merges with the sea at Antharvedi in West Godavari district.
The government would also invite the 'peethadhipati' of Sringeri Mutt and other prominent spiritual gurus to attend the 12-day event.
Naidu reviewed the arrangements for the event with ministers and senior officials here.