Rajahmundry: The death toll in the stampede during Godavari Pushkaram festival in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh has risen to nineteen. Hours before the stampede, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accompanied by his wife and son, had also took the holy dip in Rajahmundry, where the Godavari river is full in its expanse.
He offered prayers to the river and blew a conch to mark the beginning of the 12-day event. Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayandra Sarswathi also took the sacred bath.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao also took the holy dip at Dharmapuri in Karimnagar district, kicking off the event in the state.
'Godavari 'Pushkaram' is the ritual of taking holy dip in the river. It is observed once in 12 years, but this year's event is being considered even more auspicious from an astronomical point of view as it is the 'Maha Pushkaralu' which comes once in 144 years.
The 'Pushakaram' is similar to the 'Kumbh Mela', performed alongside rivers elsewhere in the country and taking holy dip is the main ritual of the festival.
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