Godavari Maha Pushkaralu, Why are they Celebrated ?

The Word Pushkara is derived from Pushkarudu who purifies every river once in 12 years , 

His actual history is ‘Tundila’ a brhamin after a long Tapasya pleased Lord Shiva and achieved Jalmaytwa Siddhi (water form), one of the eight forms of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva granted a boon to ‘Tundila’ that he will live with Him. Thus Tundila got the power to purify all rivers and thereafter he was called “Pushkara”. The word splits as ‘Push’ means to ‘Nourish’ and ‘Kara’ means ‘Who performs’. It is a special energy which nourishes.

This Godavari Maha Pushkaralu is marked very special as it occurs once in 144 years ,corresponding to the 12th recurrence of the 12-year Godavari Pushkaram cycle 

As Jupiter travels from one Zodiac sign to another Zodiac sign, 12 years is going to be a pushkara cycle, But this year Godavari Maha Pushkaram is a Hindu festival being celebrated from 14 July 2015 for a period of twelve days. The festival starts from the Ashadha (June/July) month on the Chaturdashi day (thithi) (14th day), when planet Jupiter enters the zodiac sign of Leo.The festival is "theoretically" observed throughout the twelve months that the planet remains in that sign, but the first 12 days are considered most sacred.The first 12 days of the Godavari Pushkaram are known as "Aadhi Pushkaram" and the last 12 days are titled "Anthya Pushkaralu". The next Maha Pushkaram will be celebrated in 2159.

Jupiter is known as “Brihaspati” in Sanskrit and “Gurudu” in Telugu. Jupiter is the “Guru of the Dieties”. Jupiter represents knowledge, wisdom and the off spring of the individual. It is a planet of expansion, growth and good fortune.

 Some People Recite Pushkaras as Very Holy , Bathing in the holy waters may even cure Health Disorders, and those who bath during pushkaras recite happiness and mind peace for the coming years , people who bath get fruitfulness of 1000 Ashwamedhas, and its also equalant to feeding 1 lach cows and its also equalant to bathing in all sacred rivers

Where can I take Pushkara Snanam ?

Godavari Pushkara bath can be taken on banks of Godavary, Starting from Nirmal,Basar, Dharmapuri ,Kaleswaram , Bhadrachalam ,Pattisema ,Kovvuru ,Rajmundry ,Davaleshwaram ,Narsapuram ,Antarvedi  and  it then disolves in to Bay of  Bengal