through Pushkaraalu- Memu we the authors at LoveofZ are trying present a more personal insight in to what we experienced at "godavari maha pushkaraalu".
On a sleepy post lunch session in office, my phone keeps ringing continuously . It is revanth texting me on Facebook . He is sending me pictures from previous Pushkaralu . Felt nostalgic . I googled Rajamundry right away . Damn it is so far from bangalore . After I return home, revanth texts me again , this time asking me shall we go for pushkaralu . I said yes right away . Did not mark calendar nor thought of the distance . How could we miss the biggest special bus operation by APSRTC in recent history . After some rigorous search for tickets, I decided to take the last Garuda from bangalore to vijayawada and then start my journey to Rajamundry . There were direct services to Rajamundry but there were none after office hours . hence the break journey . and i thought i would do the return journey directly from Rajamundry to Bangalore anticipating i would get tired . to my surprise APSRTC was not operating any buses from Rajamundry to Bangalore that day . so had to book a seat in morning star which was originating post sunset in Rajahmundry . Revanth was taking the janmabhoomi to Rajamundry . We decided to meet in Rajamundry . We had no plans on where we would stay or how we would cover the mega event .
The day arrived, I had to take the bus after office and thanks to my ill health and continuous night outs, I was looking forward for a deep sleep in the bus . And it arrived , it was a white striped 29Z red garuda . Before I dozed off I made a quick call to Revanth. Guess what ! he was already in Rajamundry.
Day Two
I must tell you I slept the whole journey from start to end for the first time since I started traveling alone . I woke up at around 7 am and we were approaching chilakaluripet.My bus was standing in a long line at one of the Toll Gates . All the roads were leading to rajamundry that day . After picking up last set of passengers in guntur , we proceeded towards Vijayawada . As soon as we entered PNBS Vijayawada at around 10, I spotted something really unique . What was it ? It was the Metro luxury from My home depot Dilsukhnagar in Hyderabad . TSRTC had finally sent the city bus, metro luxury on an interstate 6 hour long journey . After catching the special from hyderabad and a quick stroll in the terminus, I headed towards the special bus platforms . Three platforms were reserved for special buses heading to Rajamundry . I had never experienced such a packed bus station in my life. There were hundreds waiting for buses all waiting for that one dip in Godavari . In the 20 odd minutes that I waited for bus , there were around 6 buses which got full even before they occupied platforms . To my surprise 4 of those 6 buses were city ordinaries from Gannavaram depot . One more ordinary started pulling into the platform and I decided this is it ! Rushed towards it and somehow got myself a seat. It was a 28Z fresh rebuilt bus. There were very few standing in the bus. After quick ticketing and a small halt at Gannavaram to pick up lunch for the crew we hit highway in no time . Surprising there was no traffic for about 10 kilometers but as we were approaching Hanuman Junction there was heavy traffic . The driver who operates mofussil services to nearby villages on normal days was quick and took a diversion through the villages . Everyone in the bus was clueless where we were headed to. No one questioned the crew . Such was the trust on them . We hit high way again after crossing Elur .It was 2 hours since the journey started and everyone wanted a loo break . So we stopped and had an extended lunch break . We took off after 20 minutes and started crawling into heavy traffic . We never knew this would be the longest short distance journey we ever made . We were on the Dommeru highway, After crawling for around 5 minutes, driver hit the brake and switched the engine off . Every one was taken aback . We got out of the bus only to see a long line of buses ahead of us .. walking ahead for 100 m there were people spreading out blankets on road and taking a quick nap . Some of them said the line extends till Rajamundry . We were still more than 50 kilometers away . Traffic would move 100 meters at a time and then stop for 15 minutes . Halfway through this cycle most people in the bus were asleep . I would switch on and off my phone every 20 minutes to conserve battery . And in one such instance there was a message saying I had 10 missed calls from Revanth . Poor guy had reached rajamundry a day before and here I was crawling in a bus . It was six in the evening and we still had not reached Rajamundry . Frustrated, people started walking . Adding to the pathetic traffic were unruly cars and bikes who would cut through the lanes and obstruct the flow . Some of the passenger in our bus gave up their calm and started yelling the poor driver . What could he do any way . The conductor was tired too . When we stopped for the last time , I had a long chat with the crew . Not going in to the details as I feel this deserves more space than being sandwiched in here . And suddenly we started moving fast . the time was 11pm now . We entered Rajamundry through the new fourth bridge . After a long time we were cruising at a speed of 50Kmph . Rajamndry seemed surprisingly calm .. As we were rushing through the connecting road past the bridge , We were stopped by traffic police and sent back towards the bridge saying our temporary bus station - Luthergiri was the other way . Driver had no clue about the route hence google maps came to our rescue . We reached luthergiri finally at 11:45 pm . A solid 12 hour long journey covering 157 kilometers between Vijayawada and Rajamundry finally came to end .
Day Two
I must tell you I slept the whole journey from start to end for the first time since I started traveling alone . I woke up at around 7 am and we were approaching chilakaluripet.My bus was standing in a long line at one of the Toll Gates . All the roads were leading to rajamundry that day . After picking up last set of passengers in guntur , we proceeded towards Vijayawada . As soon as we entered PNBS Vijayawada at around 10, I spotted something really unique . What was it ? It was the Metro luxury from My home depot Dilsukhnagar in Hyderabad . TSRTC had finally sent the city bus, metro luxury on an interstate 6 hour long journey . After catching the special from hyderabad and a quick stroll in the terminus, I headed towards the special bus platforms . Three platforms were reserved for special buses heading to Rajamundry . I had never experienced such a packed bus station in my life. There were hundreds waiting for buses all waiting for that one dip in Godavari . In the 20 odd minutes that I waited for bus , there were around 6 buses which got full even before they occupied platforms . To my surprise 4 of those 6 buses were city ordinaries from Gannavaram depot . One more ordinary started pulling into the platform and I decided this is it ! Rushed towards it and somehow got myself a seat. It was a 28Z fresh rebuilt bus. There were very few standing in the bus. After quick ticketing and a small halt at Gannavaram to pick up lunch for the crew we hit highway in no time . Surprising there was no traffic for about 10 kilometers but as we were approaching Hanuman Junction there was heavy traffic . The driver who operates mofussil services to nearby villages on normal days was quick and took a diversion through the villages . Everyone in the bus was clueless where we were headed to. No one questioned the crew . Such was the trust on them . We hit high way again after crossing Elur .It was 2 hours since the journey started and everyone wanted a loo break . So we stopped and had an extended lunch break . We took off after 20 minutes and started crawling into heavy traffic . We never knew this would be the longest short distance journey we ever made . We were on the Dommeru highway, After crawling for around 5 minutes, driver hit the brake and switched the engine off . Every one was taken aback . We got out of the bus only to see a long line of buses ahead of us .. walking ahead for 100 m there were people spreading out blankets on road and taking a quick nap . Some of them said the line extends till Rajamundry . We were still more than 50 kilometers away . Traffic would move 100 meters at a time and then stop for 15 minutes . Halfway through this cycle most people in the bus were asleep . I would switch on and off my phone every 20 minutes to conserve battery . And in one such instance there was a message saying I had 10 missed calls from Revanth . Poor guy had reached rajamundry a day before and here I was crawling in a bus . It was six in the evening and we still had not reached Rajamundry . Frustrated, people started walking . Adding to the pathetic traffic were unruly cars and bikes who would cut through the lanes and obstruct the flow . Some of the passenger in our bus gave up their calm and started yelling the poor driver . What could he do any way . The conductor was tired too . When we stopped for the last time , I had a long chat with the crew . Not going in to the details as I feel this deserves more space than being sandwiched in here . And suddenly we started moving fast . the time was 11pm now . We entered Rajamundry through the new fourth bridge . After a long time we were cruising at a speed of 50Kmph . Rajamndry seemed surprisingly calm .. As we were rushing through the connecting road past the bridge , We were stopped by traffic police and sent back towards the bridge saying our temporary bus station - Luthergiri was the other way . Driver had no clue about the route hence google maps came to our rescue . We reached luthergiri finally at 11:45 pm . A solid 12 hour long journey covering 157 kilometers between Vijayawada and Rajamundry finally came to end .
Day Three
I made a call to Revanth and we decided to meet at the main bus stand start spreading out from there to cover all the temporary bus stations . I went around the Temporary bus station and it looked well equipped to handle such huge rush . There were Toilets , Food courts, and tents for people to sleep in. Basic but very well arranged facilities . I went around and enquired for the special city buses . Note that private vehicles were not allowed beyond a point in the city and one had to take the special free city buses and then walk for about 2 kilometers to reach the ghats . There were no city buses at this time, the controller said . I called up Revanth again I asked him if he can come here . Meanwhile I went around and found that there were many people from NEC districts (Vijayanagaram/Visakahapatnam/Srikakulam) waiting for buses to go back home. Many of them were asking me when would the next bus come . I had no clue neither did the controllers . All NEC bound buses were actually departing from HB grounds bus station . But thanks to a little cameo played by Chief Minister a few buses were getting diverted to Luthergiri . Hence the confusion .
Nevertheless, I bid goodbye to the bus in which I had come to Rajamundry and Called revanth to enquired if he was coming .He said there were no city buses till 3 in the morning .. So I started walking around the terminal guiding people from NEC region . After a good 30 minute walk I found a bus departing to the complex . This one was a Gajuwaka depot 11Z blue white metro express. Most of the city buses being operated were from Gajuwaka depot. The driver again had no clue about the mid night traffic diversions after a 20 minute long diversion ridden journey we stopped a kilometer away from the bus station . The driver said we should better get down and start walking because there was a long line of buses waiting . So we got down and started waking . There were about 60 buses waiting to get into the bus station . A good 200 m before the bus station, The buses were stopped and there was a huge crowd at the entrance of the bus station . Curious , I went towards the crowd and it was the chief minister of AndhraPradesh talking to the media at that time in the bus station . VC and MD of the corporation was accompanying him on a surprise visit . I followed the crowd and entered the new "renovated" Rajamundry bus station . I was surprised there were people sleeping on the floor on every inch of the floor. Many were shocked at the mid night cameo by CM , As he reached the platforms , a woman stopped him and asked where are the buses to Vizag . And trust me there were people here also waiting for NEC bound buses . As the crowd started retreating , there was a slight drizzle and there were Metro Luxuries bound to Vizag pulling out of the bus station. Had it not been better if all scheduled and special buses departed from one place . There was utter confusion with sudden diversions and unscheduled departures. Revanth was relieved I was finally there .
We went around the temporary bus station attached to the main bus station and oh boy ! I saw something really small but very special . JnNURM 2 minis were parked ! How gorgeous were they . After a brisk stroll we both just fell on the ground and planned the action for next day or should I say the morning to come . We took the next free bus and landed up in Luthergiri and there were people all over here . Some waiting to go back and some searching for the Ghats . We took a power nap for about an hour . First thing to do was observe the free city bus operations . As I mentioned earlier, most free city buses were from Vizag's Gajuwaka depot and all the new JnNURM SLF metros were serving as city buses too . Adding to the list were unregistered Mini s . Rajamundry depot's telugu velugu buses were doing Rajamundry-Kovvur shuttles .
After talking to a few people one thing was clear . People were travelling to Rajamundry just for the holy dip . None was interested in staying back for even a minute after the dip . Rightfully so . Our observation was that the flow of pilgrims was from bus stand - ghat - bus stand . So, one would expect the signage to guide people that way . The signs did every thing else but guide people properly. The major problem being the free city bus routes listing all the places the bus would touch other than the ghats and the bus terminals they would go to . Only few buses from Gemini grounds - the terminal for buses from godavari districts had names of ghats on the destination boards . The buses originating from Luthergiri and HB grounds had the names of ghats the buses would serve but the crew had no clue about them because roads were closed at least a kilometre away from the ghats.
After spending some time at Luthergiri we moved our base to HB grounds . All NEC bound buses were departing from here. Many surprise catches here, The JanBus metro express buses from Uyyur depot and the new model express from Visakhapatnam depot were parked here . Unlike the Open plan arrangement at Lutherguri, HB grounds had a planned layout . Parking was earmarked for buses according to their districts and there was an impressive temporary road laid up to the platforms and like all other temporary bus stations , HB grounds too had toilets , shelter water and food . There was free food here . Thanks to the traffic mis management last night, The controllers were ready to tackle the weekend rush this time . The departures continued smoothly with one bus leaving to Visakha,Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam every five minutes. It was obvious that there was heavy rush of passengers from NEC districts . Hence buses from as far as southern districts of Chittor and Ongole were pressed into NEC routes.
By the time we wound up at HB Grounds , it was already around 2 in the afternoon . I had a bus to catch at 5 . So, we decided to go to the Arch bridge and spend some time there . How could we miss the bridges . After all we were in Rajamundry . We went back to luthergiri and took some aerial shots and headed to the city bus platforms to take a bus to the pushkar ghat . Sadly no buses were serving that route . So we had to drop the plan of going there . We had one last thing left to do in Rajamundry. Reluctantly took that 2 kilometer long walk to Kotilingala ghat . As we approached the ghat we could understand why Luthergiri was experiencing such heavy rush . Being the closest terminal to the longest ghat , Luthergiri was always full with passengers . City buses from here witnessed the highest occupancy . Contrary to what people said it took us less than ten minutes to take a dip in the water which tasted more like chlorine and come back .
Also we walked back on a parallel road to the exit where people were fighting in lines . No prizes for guessing , The road was obviously ignored because it being inhabited by Dalits . As we were walking back . There were kids sitting on the road under the shadow of Ambedkar offering us some water . This reminded me of all the hospitality people from Godavari and Krishna districts extended us . Be it that 12 hour long journey to Rajamundry from Vijayawada or the long walks in the City . Everyone was out there helping the huge influx of pilgrims . Should thank APSRTC and people of Krishna and Godavari districts for making this a memorable journey.
One thing I missed was taking a ride in the JanBus . Felt really sad that all of them were resting when we were in Rajamundry. I also regret not being able to go to the bridges . Revanth did that for me next day . The last bus ride I took in Rajamundry was in a SML Isuzu S7 unregistered Mini . I have no clue which city these buses were allotted to but felt sad for them . The buses were being tested to their capacity even before they got registered . After this one busy day, I joined the sea of pilgrims walking to morampudi and boarded my bus back to Bengaluru .
I made a call to Revanth and we decided to meet at the main bus stand start spreading out from there to cover all the temporary bus stations . I went around the Temporary bus station and it looked well equipped to handle such huge rush . There were Toilets , Food courts, and tents for people to sleep in. Basic but very well arranged facilities . I went around and enquired for the special city buses . Note that private vehicles were not allowed beyond a point in the city and one had to take the special free city buses and then walk for about 2 kilometers to reach the ghats . There were no city buses at this time, the controller said . I called up Revanth again I asked him if he can come here . Meanwhile I went around and found that there were many people from NEC districts (Vijayanagaram/Visakahapatnam/Srikakulam) waiting for buses to go back home. Many of them were asking me when would the next bus come . I had no clue neither did the controllers . All NEC bound buses were actually departing from HB grounds bus station . But thanks to a little cameo played by Chief Minister a few buses were getting diverted to Luthergiri . Hence the confusion .
Nevertheless, I bid goodbye to the bus in which I had come to Rajamundry and Called revanth to enquired if he was coming .He said there were no city buses till 3 in the morning .. So I started walking around the terminal guiding people from NEC region . After a good 30 minute walk I found a bus departing to the complex . This one was a Gajuwaka depot 11Z blue white metro express. Most of the city buses being operated were from Gajuwaka depot. The driver again had no clue about the mid night traffic diversions after a 20 minute long diversion ridden journey we stopped a kilometer away from the bus station . The driver said we should better get down and start walking because there was a long line of buses waiting . So we got down and started waking . There were about 60 buses waiting to get into the bus station . A good 200 m before the bus station, The buses were stopped and there was a huge crowd at the entrance of the bus station . Curious , I went towards the crowd and it was the chief minister of AndhraPradesh talking to the media at that time in the bus station . VC and MD of the corporation was accompanying him on a surprise visit . I followed the crowd and entered the new "renovated" Rajamundry bus station . I was surprised there were people sleeping on the floor on every inch of the floor. Many were shocked at the mid night cameo by CM , As he reached the platforms , a woman stopped him and asked where are the buses to Vizag . And trust me there were people here also waiting for NEC bound buses . As the crowd started retreating , there was a slight drizzle and there were Metro Luxuries bound to Vizag pulling out of the bus station. Had it not been better if all scheduled and special buses departed from one place . There was utter confusion with sudden diversions and unscheduled departures. Revanth was relieved I was finally there .
We went around the temporary bus station attached to the main bus station and oh boy ! I saw something really small but very special . JnNURM 2 minis were parked ! How gorgeous were they . After a brisk stroll we both just fell on the ground and planned the action for next day or should I say the morning to come . We took the next free bus and landed up in Luthergiri and there were people all over here . Some waiting to go back and some searching for the Ghats . We took a power nap for about an hour . First thing to do was observe the free city bus operations . As I mentioned earlier, most free city buses were from Vizag's Gajuwaka depot and all the new JnNURM SLF metros were serving as city buses too . Adding to the list were unregistered Mini s . Rajamundry depot's telugu velugu buses were doing Rajamundry-Kovvur shuttles .
After talking to a few people one thing was clear . People were travelling to Rajamundry just for the holy dip . None was interested in staying back for even a minute after the dip . Rightfully so . Our observation was that the flow of pilgrims was from bus stand - ghat - bus stand . So, one would expect the signage to guide people that way . The signs did every thing else but guide people properly. The major problem being the free city bus routes listing all the places the bus would touch other than the ghats and the bus terminals they would go to . Only few buses from Gemini grounds - the terminal for buses from godavari districts had names of ghats on the destination boards . The buses originating from Luthergiri and HB grounds had the names of ghats the buses would serve but the crew had no clue about them because roads were closed at least a kilometre away from the ghats.
After spending some time at Luthergiri we moved our base to HB grounds . All NEC bound buses were departing from here. Many surprise catches here, The JanBus metro express buses from Uyyur depot and the new model express from Visakhapatnam depot were parked here . Unlike the Open plan arrangement at Lutherguri, HB grounds had a planned layout . Parking was earmarked for buses according to their districts and there was an impressive temporary road laid up to the platforms and like all other temporary bus stations , HB grounds too had toilets , shelter water and food . There was free food here . Thanks to the traffic mis management last night, The controllers were ready to tackle the weekend rush this time . The departures continued smoothly with one bus leaving to Visakha,Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam every five minutes. It was obvious that there was heavy rush of passengers from NEC districts . Hence buses from as far as southern districts of Chittor and Ongole were pressed into NEC routes.
By the time we wound up at HB Grounds , it was already around 2 in the afternoon . I had a bus to catch at 5 . So, we decided to go to the Arch bridge and spend some time there . How could we miss the bridges . After all we were in Rajamundry . We went back to luthergiri and took some aerial shots and headed to the city bus platforms to take a bus to the pushkar ghat . Sadly no buses were serving that route . So we had to drop the plan of going there . We had one last thing left to do in Rajamundry. Reluctantly took that 2 kilometer long walk to Kotilingala ghat . As we approached the ghat we could understand why Luthergiri was experiencing such heavy rush . Being the closest terminal to the longest ghat , Luthergiri was always full with passengers . City buses from here witnessed the highest occupancy . Contrary to what people said it took us less than ten minutes to take a dip in the water which tasted more like chlorine and come back .
Also we walked back on a parallel road to the exit where people were fighting in lines . No prizes for guessing , The road was obviously ignored because it being inhabited by Dalits . As we were walking back . There were kids sitting on the road under the shadow of Ambedkar offering us some water . This reminded me of all the hospitality people from Godavari and Krishna districts extended us . Be it that 12 hour long journey to Rajamundry from Vijayawada or the long walks in the City . Everyone was out there helping the huge influx of pilgrims . Should thank APSRTC and people of Krishna and Godavari districts for making this a memorable journey.
One thing I missed was taking a ride in the JanBus . Felt really sad that all of them were resting when we were in Rajamundry. I also regret not being able to go to the bridges . Revanth did that for me next day . The last bus ride I took in Rajamundry was in a SML Isuzu S7 unregistered Mini . I have no clue which city these buses were allotted to but felt sad for them . The buses were being tested to their capacity even before they got registered . After this one busy day, I joined the sea of pilgrims walking to morampudi and boarded my bus back to Bengaluru .
