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22 pilgrims killed in Maha Pushkaralu stampeded in Andhra Pradesh

by IBNS 14 Jul 2015, 12:54 am

Rajahmundry, Jul 14 (IBNS) At least 22 pilgrims, all of them women, were killed in a stampede during Godavari Pushkaralu festival in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday morning.

Reports said several others have been injured in the incident and the death toll is likely to rise.

 The Godavari Pushkaralu festival is being held on river Godavari's banks.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is at the spot to monitor the situation. The bodies of victims, all women, were shifted to Rajahmundry government hospital.

The stampede took place when the devotees rushed to take a holy dip in the river at  Kotagummam pushkar ghat at the time of sunrise.

The festival, "Maha Pushkaralu", celebrates rivers and draws huge crowds for taking holy dips.

The festival, known as the "Kumbh of south" occurs once every 144 years.

This is the first time the festival is  being held after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.