Ashok Dham Temple Stampede: At least seven devoteed were killed and over a dozen devotees were injured after a stampede broke out at the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai on Monday during the third Somwari of Sawan (third Monday of Shravan month).
The incident took place on Monday morning as a large number of devotees gathered at the temple to offer prayers and perform jalabhishek (water offering) to Lord Shiva on the occasion of the third Monday of the holy Shravan month.
As per preliminary information, around 50,000 devotees were reportedly present at the temple amid the heavy rush.
As per local news reports, the incident took place on the road connecting Ashok Dham railway station to the temple. The incident reportedly followed panic over an electric pole that had fallen along the route during the night. An unconfirmed rumour that the fallen pole was carrying live current spread among devotees on Monday morning, triggering sudden panic and chaos.
As devotees began running in different directions, a stampede-like situation developed which triggered panic and chaos among devoteed. Several people fell over one another amid the chaos and local residents and other devotees began helping those trapped in the crowd.
All the injured devotees are women, and several of them are reportedly in serious condition. All the injured have been shifted to Lakhisarai Sadar Hospital for treatment. Following the incident, administrative officials and health department teams reached the spot and began relief and medical assistance.
Police and administrative officials rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident. Health and rescue teams are also monitoring the situation and assisting the injured..
This is not the first such incident at the temple. In 2019, at least one person died and several others were injured in a stampede caused by overcrowding at the shrine during the Sawan pilgrimage.
Ashok Dham Temple, also known as the Shri Indradamneshwar Mahadev Temple, is a major religious centre in Bihar and witnesses a massive influx of devotees during the holy month of Sawan.
