What is the real significance of the Pushkaralu festival celebrated once in every twelve years?

[An online spiritual discussion was conducted on January 24, 2021, in which several devotees participated. Some of the questions of devotees answered by Swāmi are given below.]

[Kum. Mohini asked: We Hindus celebrate a festival that occurs once in every 12 years which is known as Puṣkaralu (Puṣkaram). As a part of this festival, everyone assembles near a river bank to take a dip in it (bathing), even if the river water is polluted. What is the reason behind the celebration of this festival, Swami?]

Swāmi replied: Several traditions are based on blind beliefs and one must analyze using systematic analysis. In olden days, pollution was negligible and the waters of rivers were very good and they even carried several medicinal effects. In those days, a bath in the river might have been good. But now, due to pollution, river water is harmful and hence, bathing in the river must be avoided on health grounds. Health is very very important, not only for worldly life, but also for spiritual life. Having a bath is very essential, since it cleans the body. It also gives a lot of freshness to the mind, so that you can study spiritual knowledge and pray to God with high mental attention. We must separate the good and the bad existing in every tradition. We should only take the good and refuse the bad. It is said that a swan (haṃsa) seperates milk from water. You will be called a haṃsa if you separate the good and the bad in every tradition, be it old or new. Even the modern traditions should be analyzed, without any partiality and only the good should be taken. After this stage of haṃsa, you will become a paramahaṃsa when you are able to separate God from the world or separate spiritual knowledge from worldly knowledge. This is the final stage and the final achievement of human life.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★