Though Saraswathi Pushkarams are scheduled to begin from Thursday at Kaleshwaram, the government has not so far released any funds for the once-in-a-twelve-year event. It is believed that river Saraswathi flows underground along with Pranahita and Godavari rivers at Kaleshwaram.

Neither the officials concerned nor the government has taken up any interest in providing publicity to the event. On Wednesday, Chaluva Pandillu (shamiyanas) were erected on the river banks.

Endowment commissioner reportedly issued orders asking major temples in the district to provide funds for the Pushkarams. However not a single rupee has been received by the concerned authorities so far.

The officials were not expecting huge crowds due to lack of publicity and also peak summer heat. When contacted endowment assistant commissioner D Rajeshwar Rao said that they have received orders from the endowments commissioner to utilize Rs 14 lakh from the temple funds to organize the river festival.

According to the Kaleshwaram temple history, Pushkarmas for the river Saraswathi will be conducted when ‘Guru’ enters ‘Mithuna’ sign. This time around the festival will be conducted till June 10.

Meanwhile Telangana Jagruthi district unit president T Tirupathi Rao demanded the government to release adequate funds for the river festival. “The Saraswathi Pushkaralu will be celebrated only at Kaleshwaram in the state and the government failed to recognize its importance,” he alleged.

In view of summer holidays the authorities are expecting more number of students to throng Kaleshwaram for a holy dip. According to sources minister for civil supplies D Sridhar Babu will launch the festival.

After the recent Chhattisgardh massacre a special party police combing has been intensified in the forest areas.

The police are also checking culverts as Kaleshwaram temple is located on the eastern division of the forest, 135 km from the district headquarters.