Devotees across Andhra Pradesh today thronged ghats in large numbers for a holy dip in river Krishna on the third day of Pushkaram.
As per the data released by the Chief Minister's Office, as many as 24,55,908 pilgrims took the holy dip in the river at the ghats in Kurnool, Guntur and Krishna districts.
During the first three days of the 12-day festival, an aggregate of 40,74,473 pilgrims took the dip in Krishna river in three districts of the state.
This is, however, far short of the government estimate of over 25 lakh pilgrims a day.
More than a lakh pilgrims also visited Goddess Kanaka Durga, the presiding deity of Vijayawada, atop Indrakeeladri and offered prayers.
Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar was the only VIP who responded to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's invitation so far and took a holy dip in Krishna at Punnami ghat in Vijayawada.
The chief minister had sent over 35,000 invitations to VVIPs and VIPs across the country to come and take a dip in the river during Pushkaram that comes once in 12 years.
Sitting in the Command and Control Room at the Armed Reserve Grounds for the second consecutive day, the chief minister continued "virtual inspection" of the ghats and the arrangements for pilgrims.
"We are using technology and Internet of Things in a big way to ensure smooth conduct of the event. We are doing everything on a real time basis," he told reporters.
People were "very much satisfied" with the arrangements and facilities, he said.
"Come, worship, pray and serve. The river has given you wealth all these years. Now, it's time for you to pay back," the chief minister said.
He reiterated government's resolve to complete inter-linking of rivers in the state by the next Pushkaram.
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