Lakhisarai: At least seven devotees lost their lives and more than a dozen others were injured after a stampede broke out at the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai on Monday morning during the third Somwari of the holy month of Sawan.
The tragedy unfolded as tens of thousands of devotees gathered to offer jalabhishek to Lord Shiva. Officials said nearly 50,000 pilgrims were present at the temple, making it one of the busiest days of the annual Sawan pilgrimage.
According to the district administration, the crowd surged dramatically between 6:30 am and 6:45 am after two passenger trains arrived at the nearby Ashok Dham railway station. Despite prior arrangements for the expected rush, a barricade reportedly collapsed under pressure, causing devotees to fall over one another and triggering the stampede.
Preliminary reports suggest panic spread after rumours circulated that a fallen electric pole on the road leading to the temple was carrying live current. As frightened devotees began running in different directions, the situation quickly spiralled into chaos, with several people getting trapped in the crowd.
Most of the injured are women, and some are said to be in critical condition. They were rushed to Lakhisarai Sadar Hospital, where emergency medical teams are providing treatment. Police, rescue personnel and district officials reached the spot immediately to manage relief operations and restore order.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the victims. He said the administration had been instructed to ensure the injured receive prompt and proper medical care.
Ashok Dham, also known as Shri Indradamneshwar Mahadev Temple, is one of Bihar’s prominent Shiva shrines and attracts massive crowds throughout the Sawan month. The temple had witnessed a similar stampede in 2019, highlighting recurring concerns over crowd management during peak pilgrimage days.
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