# Godavari Harathi,Rajahmundry 16-07-2015

# AP CM Chandrababu Naidu Full Speech about Stampede at Godavari maha Pushkaralu 2015

# Pawan Kalyan Tweeted about stampede at godavari pusharalu

Rajahmundry Pushkar Ghat Incident | AP CM announces Rs. 10 lakhs Ex Gratia

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has expressed his deep condolences at the loss of lives due to stampede that took place at Kotagummam pushkar ghat in Rajahmundry. The chief minister has announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia each for the families of those killed in the stampede during Godavari pushkaram in Rajahmundry. He said that more security measures will be arranged and told reporters that a thorough probe would be conducted over it

# Godavari Pushkaralu Tragedy | Death Toll Climbs following Pushkara Ghat incident

# Chiranjeevi fire on Chandrababu over Godhavari Pushkaram Arrangements

 Chiranjeevi breaks down over death of  pilgrims

Actor and politician Chiranjeevi began crying during a press meet after 27 pilgrims died in a stampede at a major bathing spot on the banks of the Godavari river on the opening day of 'Pushkaram' festival in Andhra Pradesh.

A major religious event held once in 12 years, hundreds of people drawn from different parts of the state had converged on the river bank to take dip in the river on the auspicious occasion.

The tragedy struck between 7.30 am and 8 am and most of the victims were elderly people.

The victims had been waiting since early hours and some of them were tired as they had travelled long distances to reach here.

The official said there is a possibility that the deaths were caused due to suffocation.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who was on the spot to take the holy dip, expressed profound grief at the tragedy and is personally monitoring relief and rescue operations.

The Chief Minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the deceased and said, if necessary, he would would remain in Rajahmundry for the next 11 days.

Earlier in the day, Naidu, accompanied by his wife and son, had taken the holy dip, where the river is full in its expanse.

Godavari 'Pushkaram', the ritual of taking holy dip in the river, is observed once in 12 years, but this time it is considered auspicious from astronomical point of view as it is 'Maha Pushkaralu' which comes once in 144 years.

Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayandra Sarswathi was among the spiritual leaders who took the sacred bath.

The 'Pushakaram' is a similar to the 'Kumbh Mela' performed alongside rivers elsewhere in the country and taking holy dip is the main ritual of the religious event.

Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi also expressed shock over the stampede.

Rahul Gandhi said on micro-blogging site Twitter, "Extremely sad to hear of the stampede in Rajahmundry that led to the death of several devotees. My deepest condolences to the families.

Chiranjeevi Emotional On Pushkara Ghat incident | Serious Comments On Chandrababu and Media | HMTV

# Terrible stampede at Godavari Pushkaram in Andhra

29 killed in stampede at Godavari Pushkaram in Andhra

At least 29 people were killed and over 60 injured on Tuesday in a stampede during the mahapushkaram, a Hindu religious bathing festival on the Godavari river bank, in Andhra Pradesh.
The incident happened around 8am at Rajahmundry soon after chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and his family took the holy dip and left the place.
Some pilgrims trying to retrieve their shoes which had fallen off in the rush triggered the stampede as tens of thousands of people pushed forward

to bathe in the Godavari on the first day of the festival, police said.
Some witnesses said several devotees tried to climb a wall along the popular pushkar ghat while others pushed forward, triggering a stampede.
Naidu who has been camping in the town from Monday to inspect the arrangements, visited the mishap site and the hospitals.
“It is unfortunate that such loss of life occurred even after taking all precautions. The situation is because of people thronging one ghat. We request people not to panic and use other ghats to avoid overcrowding. Safety of pilgrims is top priority for us and we will provide all possible

assistance,” Naidu said.
A visibly shaken Naidu also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased. "We will probe how the incident occurred and necessary action will be taken against those responsible," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Naidu over the phone and later tweeted - "Deeply pained at the loss of lives. My condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured. I spoke to AP CM Naidu and discussed the situation with him. State government is working to restore normalcy." 
Telangana CM Chandrasekhar Rao, who took the pushkaram dip in the Godavari at Dharmapuri in Telangana, also expressed shock over the tragedy.
About 24 million people are expected to take part in the festival at varying points along the Godavari, which flows through the recently-bifurcated states of Andhra Pradesh and  Telangana.
About 275 ghats have been developed by AP in the twin districts of East and West Godavari but the rush is at the pushkar ghats in Rajahmundry, where the government also arranged various events like fireworks.

Officials said a small place like Rajahmundry could not cope with the rush and the situation became almost unmanageable. Some pilgrims said ambulances took time to reach the site because the roads were overcrowded with people.
Devotees believe a dip in the river can rid them of their sins and thousands of them, riding in buses, trains and other vehicles, started reaching the pilgrimage centre two days ahead of festival.
“There is a false belief that taking a holy dip in the river on the first day of the festival will be more auspicious,” said Swamy Swaroopanand, a holy man. V Satyanarayana, a pilgrim who was at the site, said the stampede lasted nearly 20 minutes.
“It was a frightening situation, with women and children crying for help," he said. “The policemen on

duty were helpless and it took more than an hour to bring the situation under control.”
With the bodies of victims lying around, relatives wailed and cried for help.
“This is an unfortunate incident even after all the precautions taken and monitored by the CM himself. We are rushing medical teams to help the victims,” health minister Kamineni Srinivas Rao said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, took to Twitter to express his pain at the loss of lives. “My condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured.”
Telangana chief minister Chandrasekhar Rao, a bitter political rival of Naidu, said he was shocked and hoped there would be no more untoward incident during the rest of the 12-day festival.

Deadly stampedes are fairly common during Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas with few safety or crowd control measures. In October 2013, a stampede in Madhya Pradesh killed more than 110 people, mostly women and children.

# NTR Statue At Pushkar Ghat,Rajahmundry

# Helicopter Joy Ride During Godavari Pushkaram at 1999/- rupees

Pawan Hans Limited is operating Helicopter Joy Rides in Rajahmundry for Godavari Maha Pushkaram 2015. The Helicopter Joy Rides are available from July 14, 2015 to July 25, 2015 from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Here are the package details:
Ride Time – 10 Minutes
Helicopter Type – 6 Seater
Coverage – Areal view of all Godavari Maha Pushkaram Ghats in Rajahmundry.
Price – Rs. 1999 per head

Reservation & Information: Helicopter Joy Ride counters at Government Arts College, Rajahmundry and GATE College
Telephone Numbers: +91 983.351.5791 & +91 987.315.5666

# Pushkar Ghat

Pushkar Ghat

  Address: Kotagumam down, Rajahmundry

  Length: 290 mts

  Capacity: 30000

  Inauguration Date: N/A

  Inaugurated By: N/A

  Contact: 9700363659