On the starting day itself, Pushkaraalu had to face sad news this morning, where a number of people faced the death.
    
As Maha Pushkaraalu is celebrated once in 144 years and so is generally considered as once in a life time. The holy dip in the river is believed to clear all the sins during this time. So the people are not in a position to skip the chance and so are turning towards Pushkarams in the Telugu states in large numbers.

17 dead, 14 condition serious in AP Pushkarams

In spite of taking all the safety precautions by the dual state governments, the people are facing crowd issues at the Pushkar ghats. Especially in Andhra Pradesh, 17 deaths are already registered and another 14 condition is serious.  Most of the victims are identified to be from Uttharandhra.

Upon knowing this, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu ordered the officials saying that, all the people, who fell ill at the Pushkarams should be given the best treatment. Naidu is currently monitoring the Pushkarams, watching through the control room.

On the other side, the officials opined that, not only on the first day, the holy dip in any 12 days will have the same effect. So it is better if the people keep this in mind and then start to the Pushkarams.  

By Phani