Krishna Pushkaram archakas to wear robes designed by NIFT  

Hyderabad: The endowments department is going an extra mile for ‘Krishna Pushkaram’ making the archakas appear dapper in their latest outfit designed by National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). The archakas on Monday did a rehearsal of harati wearing the dresses designed by NIFT.

NIFT has given the attire a traditional touch with striking colors emphasizing the spiritual essence to the harati ritual. Reportedly, NIFT has come up with four types of outfits and has procured fabrics from Mangalagiri and Dharmavaram.

“We have used bright colors like red, yellow, green and orange giving the spiritual essence,” said Professor Malini of NIFT Hyderabad

The Krishna Pushkaram will be celebrated for 12 days, starting from August 12-23. The officials have come up with an idea of oragnising ‘nadi harathi’ to the river Krishna. DVR Foundation at Patamat is the co-organizer for the harathi ritual. The archakas will be giving harathi to the river on all the 12 days of the festival.

“The 15 minutes harathi will be taken up everyday after 7.30 pm and before the start of harathi pilgrims will be given a brief introduction on religious and spiritual significance of the river Krishna,” said an official.

According to sources chief minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his dissatisfaction over the attire of archakas in last year’s Godavari Pushkaram , hence the endowments officials roped in NIFT this time.