The Endowments department in Telangana is considering implementing ‘Jala Harati’ to promote temple tourism in the state. This initiative is inspired by the Ganga Aarti held at the river banks in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, which draws many devotees in the evening.
During a meeting with Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, officials discussed the idea of organizing ‘Jala Harati’ at major temple sites along the banks of River Godavari, such as Basar Saraswati Temple and Lord Shri Ramachandra Swamy Temple in Bhadrachalam. The aim is not only to attract devotees but also to raise awareness about preserving rivers and preventing pollution.
The department plans to collaborate with voluntary organizations and philanthropists to implement the program. They are considering whether ‘Jala Harati’ should be a regular event or reserved for festivals and special occasions. Previous initiatives like the Godavari Aarti in Dharmapuri during Karthika Masam have been successful but faced challenges due to funding issues.
In addition to ‘Jala Harati’, the department is also considering introducing ‘Shankhanadam’ in temples. These programs could be held during festival days initially and expanded to weekends and eventually become regular events. This not only benefits devotees but also generates revenue for both temples and private entities as people may stay longer to witness the rituals.
