At least seven people have died and several others were injured in a stampede outside the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district on the morning of the third Monday of the month of Sawan.
The incident triggered chaos at the temple premises as a large number of devotees had gathered for worship.
Administrative officials have reached the spot and are overseeing rescue efforts and crowd management. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation.
While speaking with reporters, 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.
Calling the incident extremely tragic, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the administration had been directed to ensure proper and prompt treatment for the injured.
The Ashok Dham Temple is also known as the Shri Indradamaneshwar Mahadev Temple. It houses a large Shivalinga. The temple attracts a large number of devotees, particularly during the holy month of Sawan.
Article source: ndtv.com
