Safety lapses at Basar Godavari river ghats

127 drownings in 10 years; locals suggest installing showers

- SANTOSH PADALA

The ancient Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devasthanam at Basar has made headlines for the wrong reasons. Five young devotees, part of a 20-member pilgrimage group from Hyderabad, including three siblings drowned in the Godavari river while taking a holy dip at the temple town on Sunday, exposing serious safety lapses.

Endowments Department officials said eight bathing ghats have been created for the convenience of devotees who wish to take a holy dip before darshan of the presiding deity at the shrine, regarded as the only temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi in South India. However, the department is drawing criticism for failing to prevent recurring drownings in the river.