Seven Dead in Temple Stampede in Bihar's Lakhisarai During Sawan Rush
At least seven people died and several others were injured in a stampede outside the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar's Lakhisarai district on Monday morning, during the holy month of Sawan. The incident occurred as a large number of devotees had gathered for worship on the third Monday of the month, a day considered highly auspicious for devotees of Lord Shiva.
Administrative officials reached the spot soon after the incident and are overseeing rescue operations and crowd management. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation, and the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary described the incident as extremely tragic and said the administration had been directed to ensure proper and prompt treatment for the injured. He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said that an unprecedented surge of devotees, intensified by the arrival of two trains around 6.30-6.45 am, led to a barricade collapse outside the temple. "The crowd swelled in an unprecedented manner. Around 6.30-6.45 am, two trains came here that too added to the crowd. Arrangements were made as we had anticipated the crowd. We then came to know that barricading broke on one side due to the crowd and people fell on each other. We rushed 10-15 people here immediately," Kumar said.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shivam Kumar told news agency ANI that preliminary reports suggest an electric pole fell at the site, causing electrocution and triggering a stampede-like situation. He said the exact cause of the incident would be ascertained only after a thorough verification of the facts.
"Seven casualties have been reported. It is being said that an electric pole fell there and people were electrocuted, which led to a stampede-like situation. We can tell you the exact reason only after verifying everything," he said.
The Ashok Dham Temple, also known as the Shri Indradamaneshwar Mahadev Temple, houses a large Shivalinga and attracts a large number of devotees, particularly during the holy month of Sawan. The district administration has urged devotees to remain calm and follow safety protocols during such large gatherings.
This incident highlights the need for better crowd management and infrastructure at religious sites, especially during peak pilgrimage periods. Authorities have announced a thorough inquiry into the incident to prevent such tragedies in the future.
