The 12-day festival is expected to draw nearly five crore devotees to the banks of the Krishna.
Highlights
- Andhra, Telangana celebrating 12-day festival
- 5 crore devotees expected for dip in River Krishna
- Chief Ministers, bitter rivals, bathed in the river this morning
At the same time - 5:30 am - but over 400 kilometres apart, a pair of Chief Ministers bathed in the River Krishna as part of a festival that takes place once every 12 years.
Telangana's head of state, K Chandrasekhar Rao or "KCR", and Chandrababu Naidu, who leads Andhra Pradesh, were accompanied by their wives and ministers during their offering of prayers on Krishna Pushkaralu, held to thank the river for the sustenance it bestows.
Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh as India's youngest state two years ago. The bifurcation has led to the two neighbours contesting how to divvy up resources ranging from water to revenue.
The 12-day festival is expected to draw a minimum of five crore devotees in each state to the banks of the Krishna, dotted by temples.
Mr Naidu, on Twitter, has asked devotees to post selfies using #krishnamma. This week, the union government asked states to ensure that tourists do not put themselves in danger while trying to nail selfies.
About a year ago, 27 people were killed in a stampede at a festival held on the ghats of the River Godavari in Andhra Pradesh.
Some alleged that was because access to the river was blocked off while the Chief Minister and his escorts bathed in the river and when the gates were opened, there was a stampede as pilgrims rushed to the water.
Mr Naidu's administration says it has taken plenty of precautions this year to manage the huge crowds. Vijayawada is expected to get the maximum rush, with nearly 15 lakh devotees a day. As an added attraction, a replica of the world-famous Tirumala Balaji has been created.