The stampede took place when the devotees rushed to take a holy dip in the river Godavari at Rajamundry at the time of sunrise.
Advertisement
The reason behind the huge crowd at the Godavari river bank is because of the fact that the festival happens once in every 144 years.
“I want Godavari Pushkaralu to set a benchmark”, said state Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
Yet, both states are pulling out all stops to promote temple tourism. This is considered auspicious from the astronomical point of view. Others drowned when they jumped from the bridge into river waters below.
Chaos prevailed at all the three gates at the bathing ghat in Rajahmundry, a town in East Godavari district. There is also mega food festival and a horticulture show. People can also share their experience of the event by hashtagging their posts on Twitter or Facebook with #MahaPushkaram2015. Maharashtra’s gesture in arranging for the release of some water has come as a saving grace for the state. Important temples are situated along side Godavari in Telangana at Basar, Dharmapuri, Kaleswaram and Bhadrachalam.
Advertisement
Municipal administration minister P Narayana said the Centre had given Rs 150 crore against the state’s own investment on infrastructure for the Pushkaralu. Taking a dip in Godavari river is the main feature of the festival. They have also estimated the Maha Pushkarams would generate a pile of 30,000 tonnes of solid waste if the 25,000 sanitary workers being deployed slacken on the job. Already, the CM KCR and other cabinet ministers like Etela Rajender, Jogu Ramanna, Indrakaran Reddy have been ensuring all the necessary measures are taken for the devotees’ safety and comfort at various ghats in Telangana.
