24 lakh pilgrims take a dip on occasion of Pushkaralu

Hyderabad: TDP MLA from Rajahmundry A. Butchaiah Chowdary on Tuesday said that by 8.30 pm, the number of pilgrims who attended Maha Puskharam crossed 24 lakh and counting.

Mr Chowdary said, “As per our estimates, the figure crossed 24 lakh in Rajahmundry alone. Till midnight, there were people still taking dips. We have start the second day’s count from nightfall.” Regarding the death toll due to the stampede, AP communication adviser Parakala Prabhakar said, “People thronged the ghat disproportionately which led to stampede.”