Nalanda: At least eight women were killed and several others injured after a stampede-like situation at a Sheetla Mata temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Tuesday.
The incident was the result of overcrowding and a sudden rush of devotees. Several women were crushed in the melee.
The Bihar government has ordered a probe into the incident.
Visuals that emerged from the site revealed large crowds gathered within the temple premises amid chaotic conditions. Police officials, along with local villagers, rushed to the spot after receiving information and launched relief and rescue operations, as reported by India Today.
The temple witnesses heavy footfall every Tuesday, with devotees arriving from various parts of the state, including Patna, locals said. Many blamed mismanagement for the tragedy.
“It happened due to mismanagement,” an eyewitness said, while another added: “Nobody wanted to stand in a queue and everyone tried to have darshan first. Being the last Tuesday of Chaitra, the rush was even higher.”
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Nalanda on Tuesday. She will visit the Nalanda ruins, just a short distance from the Sheetla Mata Temple where the tragedy occurred. Most administrative officials were busy preparing for the President’s visit when the incident happened, it has been reported.
The Bihar government has ordered the chief secretary to conduct a detailed investigation and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.
Officials were also instructed to restore normalcy at the earliest, while the Patna commissioner has been sent to Bihar Sharif to oversee the situation.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia of Rs 6 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed in the incident, including Rs 4 lakh from the Disaster Management Department and Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The state’s deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary expressed his condolences on X, calling the stampede “extremely heartbreaking.” The government is providing all possible assistance and relief to the affected families and has made arrangements for the proper treatment of the injured, he said.
“The tragic stampede incident at the Mata Sheetla Temple in Nalanda is extremely heartbreaking. I express my condolences to the families of all the devotees who lost their lives and were injured in this accident,” Choudhary said in a post on X.
“The government is providing every possible assistance and relief to the affected families. Arrangements have been made for the proper treatment of the injured. May God grant peace to the departed souls and provide strength to the grieving families during this hour of sorrow. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” he added.
In a similar incident, nine devotees, mostly women and children, lost their lives and 13 others were injured in a stampede at Andhra Pradesh’s Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam district last year. The tragedy struck during Ekadashi, an auspicious day for Hindus, when an overwhelming crowd had gathered at the temple.
