At least seven women devotees were killed and more than 12 people were injured after a stampede broke out at the Ashokdham Temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, on the third Monday of Sawan. Thousands of devotees had been arriving at the temple since morning to perform jalabhishek of Lord Shiva when the crowd suddenly came under increased pressure.
According to preliminary information, a rumour that an electric pole had caused an electrical current to spread rapidly through the crowd. The rumour triggered panic among devotees, prompting people to move towards safer areas. As the crowd pressure increased, several devotees fell over one another. According to the administration, the sudden increase in the crowd and the breaking of barricading also contributed to the situation.
The number of devotees around the temple reportedly increased sharply between around 6:30 am and 7 am. The simultaneous halt of two trains also increased the number of people heading towards the temple. The additional pressure on the crowd already present made it difficult to control the situation.
The queue of devotees had extended outside the temple premises up to Ashokdham Halt. Barricading had been installed to control the crowd, but one section of the barricading broke after the pressure increased. People then tried to move forward, collided with one another and several fell to the ground. Panic and chaos soon spread through the area.
Most of the women who died in the incident were among those waiting in the queue for jalabhishek. People present nearby tried to lift and move the injured out of the area. Police and administrative teams also reached the spot immediately and began relief and rescue operations.
The injured were taken by ambulance to Lakhisarai Sadar Hospital, where treatment was started. Some of the injured are reported to be in serious condition. Administrative and health department teams are monitoring the situation.
Police and administrative officials reached the site after receiving information about the incident. Along with crowd control and the transportation of injured people to hospital, security arrangements were strengthened at the temple and surrounding areas to prevent further disorder.
The administration is investigating the circumstances of the incident. Officials are examining why the crowd suddenly became uncontrollable and the circumstances in which the barricading broke. The entire sequence of events related to the rumour about an electrical current from the electric pole is also being investigated.
According to eyewitnesses, the situation deteriorated rapidly after the rumour spread through the crowd. Several people began running in panic, while devotees arriving from behind were unaware of what was happening ahead. As a result, some people fell and others fell on top of them.
After the incident, fear spread among devotees and their relatives at the temple. Families whose members had gone to the temple for jalabhishek began searching for them after receiving information about the incident. Crowds also gathered at hospitals.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the incident. He conveyed his condolences to the families of the devotees who died and directed the administration to ensure proper and prompt treatment for the injured.
Ashokdham Temple is a major religious site in Lakhisarai district and receives large numbers of devotees during Sawan. On Mondays in particular, people travel from distant areas to perform jalabhishek of Lord Shiva. This time too, a large number of devotees had been arriving at the temple since morning.
Following the incident, the immediate challenge for the administration was to provide better medical treatment to the injured and control the crowd in the temple area. Relief and rescue teams reached the site and worked to bring the situation under control. Security arrangements were also strengthened on routes leading to and from the temple.
The incident has also raised questions about crowd management and security arrangements during large religious gatherings. The combination of Sawan Monday and Nag Panchami had already resulted in a high number of devotees at Ashokdham Temple. The administration was therefore required to make additional arrangements to handle a sudden increase in the crowd.
According to experts, a rumour can create a serious problem within seconds in a crowded area. In such situations, people should follow instructions issued by the administration instead of running. Organisers and the administration also need to ensure that clear information reaches devotees immediately to prevent rumours from spreading.
The administration is currently investigating the incident. The actual causes of the stampede and whether there were any shortcomings in the security arrangements will become clearer after the investigation is completed. Officials are also gathering information about the identities of those who died and the condition of the injured.
