Meaning of Pushkaram

Pushkaram is a Sanskrit word meaning “the one who purifies”. Pushkaram is the time during which the rivers are worshipped. In India festivals are mainly the days that hold spiritual significances like birthdays of gods, goddesses, religious seers and saints apart from some national festivals. Among them Pushmaram is considered to be very sacred as the rivers in India are equivalent to goddesses. It is celebrated for 12 sacred rivers which represent 12 zodiac signs according to Hindu mythology and it comes once in 12 years.

Pushkaram comes for every 12 years and is the duration of the Jupiter entering and staying in the concerned zodiac sign. Each zodiac is associated with 12 rivers as follows: Ganges River with Aries; Narmada River with Taurus; Saraswati River with Gemini; Yamuna River with Cancer; Godavari River with Leo; Krishna River with Virgo; Kaveri River with Libra; Bhima River or Tambaraparni with Scorpio; Brahmaputra River with Sagittarius; Tungabhadra River with Capricorn; Indus River with Aquarius; Pranahita (tributary of Godavari) River with Pisces.

The first twelve days when the Jupiter enters a zodiac sign is called Adi Puskharam. The last 12 days when the Jupiter leaves a zodiac are called Antya Pushkaram. These 24 days are celebrated on the banks of the respective rivers with pomp and vigor. A holy dip taken in the waters of the rivers during Pushkaram will wash away all our sins. This is a very strong belief in Hinduism. Along with prayers, people also do rites to the ancestors on the banks of the rivers during the time of Pushkaram. It is believed that they will reach ultimate heavens emancipated from cycle of life and death because of these rites.