Tragedy at Ashokdham Temple: Stampede on Sawan Monday Leaves 7 Devotees Dead, Over 12 Injured

Lakhisarai: Tragedy struck the famous Ashokdham Temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, early Monday morning when a stampede broke out amid a massive gathering of devotees on the third Monday of the holy month of Sawan. Seven devotees were killed and more than 12 others injured in the incident.

According to preliminary information, panic erupted after an electric wire reportedly fell near devotees who had gathered at the temple to perform Jalabhishek to Lord Shiva. The sudden commotion triggered a rush among the devotees, resulting in several people being crushed in the crowd.

The injured were rushed to Lakhisarai Sadar Hospital, where doctors are treating them. The condition of some injured devotees is reportedly critical.

Panic Erupts Amid Massive Crowd

A large number of devotees had gathered at the temple since the early hours of Monday for Darshan and Jalabhishek. Eyewitnesses said devotees were standing in queues when the incident occurred.

Following the fall of the electric wire, panic spread through the crowded temple premises. People began running in different directions, triggering a stampede. Several devotees, including women, reportedly fell to the ground and were trampled.

Police personnel, administrative officials and medical teams immediately reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. Rescue and relief operations were launched, while the injured were transported to hospital by ambulances.

Stampede Around 6:40–6:45 AM

Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said the administration had made arrangements in view of the expected rush on the third Monday of Sawan.

According to the DM, administrative teams had been deployed at the temple since around 3:30 AM. However, the arrival of two trains resulted in a sudden surge of devotees, further increasing the crowd inside the temple complex.

He said that around 6:40–6:45 AM, the pressure of the crowd caused barricading on one side of the premises, towards the fields, to collapse. As a result, devotees fell over one another, triggering the stampede.

The DM said approximately 10–15 injured people were immediately transported to the hospital, where a team of doctors was treating them.

Eyewitness Alleges Serious Administrative Lapses

An eyewitness, Vinod Kumar, who had travelled from Mokama to the temple, alleged that there were serious lapses in crowd management and security arrangements.

According to Kumar, around 100 people were allegedly attempting to enter through an area where bamboo barricades had been installed. The crowd reportedly pushed forward, causing people to fall, after which others allegedly trampled those who had fallen.

Kumar further claimed that there were no administrative officials or adequate supervisory personnel present at the entrance at the time. He also alleged that the entrance was located on a slope and that the bamboo barricades gave way under the pressure of the crowd.

The eyewitness said the tragedy has left his family devastated, claiming that his wife was crushed in the crowd while one of his daughters is still missing.

Authorities are continuing rescue and relief operations, while further details regarding the circumstances of the stampede and the final casualty figure are awaited.