Krishna Pushkaralu: Pilgrims waste free food at ghats as eateries fleece customers

The fourth day of the Krishna Pushkaralu in Andhra saw many voluntary organizations distribute free food for the heavy rush of pilgrims in Vijayawada.

The New Indian Express reported that around 55 organisations served vegetable biryani, lemon rice, curd rice, tomato rice and sambar rice at makeshift tents to help the swelling crowd in the wake of consecutive holidays during the weekend.

However a lot of food was getting wasted.

According to the report:

The situation at many Pushkar Nagars saw many dumper bins filled with the excess food thrown away by the pilgrims. Pilgrims, who arrived late at the Pushkar Nagars, were forced to return with empty stomachs as the food packets were exhausted. From day one, most of the pilgrims were taking excess food as a precautionary measure but throwing it away after all of them ate. 

Many also complained as hotels and eateries along the ghats were charging exorbitant amounts for meals.

Meanwhile, The Hindu reported that the festival is not bringing any windfall for the thousands of priests, most of who belong to Krishna, Guntur and West Godavari districts.

While the turnout of pilgrims increased during the weekend and on Monday, only a small percentage of them were looking for priests to perform the rituals. 

Earlier, the government had announced fixed rates for the priests while adding that there would be sheds provided for them and they would not be permitted to get into the river water at the ghats to look for potential clients.