A tragic stampede at the Shitala Temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district claimed the lives of eight women and left several others injured during a religious gathering on Tuesday. The incident occurred amid heavy overcrowding, as a large number of devotees had assembled for पूजा, leading to chaos and a sudden rush that resulted in people being crushed.
Visuals from the site showed distressing scenes, with several women lying unconscious on the ground while crowds struggled to regain control of the situation. Police personnel and local residents rushed to the temple premises as soon as information about the incident emerged, initiating immediate rescue and relief efforts.
According to officials, the temple witnesses significant footfall every Tuesday, but the rush was particularly high due to it being the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month. Eyewitnesses pointed to poor crowd management as a major factor behind the tragedy, with many stating that devotees attempted to move ahead simultaneously for darshan, leading to the stampede.
Bihar Sharif Assistant Superintendent of Police Noorul Haque confirmed that at least eight women lost their lives in the incident and said that administrative teams were present on-site to manage rescue operations. Authorities have since launched an investigation into the incident to determine lapses and fix accountability.
The situation was further complicated as senior district officials were reportedly engaged in preparations for the visit of President Droupadi Murmu, who was in Nalanda on the same day and scheduled to visit nearby historical sites. Following the incident, the in-charge of Deepnagar police station, Rajmani, was suspended, and senior officials, including the Patna Commissioner, were deployed to oversee the situation and restore order.
The Bihar government has ordered a detailed probe and directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia of Rs 6 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives, combining assistance from the Disaster Management Department and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The Prime Minister’s Office also expressed grief over the incident, announcing financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured. Several leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, conveyed their condolences and assured support for affected families.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns around crowd management and safety at large religious gatherings. Similar tragedies in the past, including a deadly stampede at a temple in Andhra Pradesh last year, underline the recurring risks associated with inadequate planning and uncontrolled crowds during high-footfall events.
