With the drought condition becoming severe in the state, Ramkund, the sacred bathing ghat on Godavari river here, has dried up for the first time in the last 139 years, resulting in religious rituals
With the drought condition becoming severe in the state, Ramkund, the sacred bathing ghat on Godavari river here, has dried up for the first time in the last 139 years, resulting in religious rituals almost coming to a halt. Ramkund has dried up as water stock in Gangapur dam has gone down due to severe drought and scanty rainfall last year.
“Ramkund has gone dry after 139 years as irrigation authorities stopped releasing water (from Gangapur dam) into the river as keeping water for drinking is their first priority now,” said Devang Jani of Godapremi Urban Action Committee. ‘Gandhi Talao’, a small pond located a few metres from Ramkund, has water flowing into it though supply to Ramkund is stopped. Mr Jani said inadequate rainfall for the past three years only aggravated the situation. Rituals like ‘shradh’ and immersion of ash of the dead are traditionally performed at Ramkund.
