Hans News Service Amaravati

Onthe banks of the Vasishta Godavari, where plastic waste and political flex banners once dominated the riverfront, Teeparru has scripted a new chapter in Andhra Pradesh’s preparations for Godavari Pushkaralu-2027. The West Godavari village has become the state’s first ‘Maa Godavari Pushkaralu Model Village’, transforming Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s ‘Swachh Godavari–Pavitra Pushkaralu’ vision from a government blueprint into a grassroots movement.

Unlike a conventional government programme, the initiative has been driven jointly by villagers, the Gram Panchayat, the State Tourism Department, the West Godavari district administration and Mahavatar Babaji TadEkam Foundation. More than 400 villagers gathered to take a collective pledge to protect the river—not merely during Pushkaralu but every day. Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh, who launched the initiative, described Teeparru as a village that had shown the government the way. Calling it a model worthy of replication, he said community participation was the key to preserving the Godavari for future generations.

The initiative directly echoes Pawan Kalyan’s action plan announced in Rajamahendravaram in May, which envisages more than 260 model panchayats, elimination of untreated sewage entering the Godavari, continuous pollution monitoring and strict vigilance over industrial discharge before the 2027 Pushkaralu.

At the heart of Teeparru’s transformation is a four-point commitment: treating the river as ‘Maa Godavari’, eliminating plastic, removing political and commercial flex banners from the village and ghats, and ensuring zero pollution. The campaign also promotes the philosophy of ‘Seva Hi Snan’, emphasising that protecting the river is the highest form of devotion.

The model goes beyond conservation. Teeparru is also developing tourism infrastructure, including selfie points overlooking the Godavari, kayaking facilities and leisure boating with refreshments and music, creating new livelihood opportunities while enhancing the pilgrim experience. The tourism department and district administration will now present the Teeparru model to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan with a proposal to replicate it across the Godavari basin. TadEkam Foundation has already announced plans to extend the initiative to Mukkamala, Kundaleswaram, Mukteswaram and Kovvur, working with local bodies and government departments.

Targeted for completion by Sankranti-2027, months before Godavari Pushkaralu (June 26–July 7, 2027), Teeparru is expected to serve as Andhra Pradesh’s pilot model for integrating river conservation, spiritual tourism, adventure activities and rural development into a single community-driven programme.