In a devastating turn of events during the sacred Shravan month, a stampede at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi Temple claimed six lives and left over twenty others injured. The tragedy unfolded early Sunday morning when thousands of devotees had gathered at the temple premises to offer prayers. What was meant to be a moment of devotion quickly turned into chaos and fear, as a rumour about an electrical hazard reportedly caused panic among the pilgrims climbing toward the hilltop shrine.
Located on Bilwa Parvat, Mansa Devi Temple is accessible by ropeway and a long stairway. Both routes were packed with worshippers, many of whom had traveled from states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Around eight thirty in the morning, as crowds surged near the main stair passage, some pilgrims reportedly lost balance, triggering a cascading rush of panic. With no adequate space to retreat and few escape options, many were caught in the crush, leading to a horrifying scene of injuries and cries for help.
Eyewitnesses spoke of narrow walkways, overcrowding, and a lack of coordination among security personnel. While the state administration had anticipated heavy turnout during Shravan, ground preparations were visibly lacking. There were no clear signs or barricades to direct the flow of people, and police presence was too limited to manage the swelling crowd. By the time help arrived, several lives had already been lost.
Among the victims were three women and two elderly devotees who succumbed to injuries on the spot or shortly after. Medical teams from Haridwar District Hospital and emergency services rushed to provide aid, with some critically injured patients being transferred to advanced facilities in Dehradun. Families of the deceased have been promised compensation by the Uttarakhand government, while Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered an immediate high-level inquiry into the incident.
The incident has reopened conversations about the urgent need for better safety infrastructure at India’s most visited religious sites. Despite prior warnings about high footfall during the monsoon season, many temples continue to function without digital monitoring, trained marshals, or regulated crowd control systems. Experts stress that temples like Mansa Devi, which welcome millions annually, must implement real-time surveillance and better design strategies to avoid such disasters in the future.
Following the incident, state authorities deployed additional forces at other pilgrimage hotspots including Har Ki Pauri and Chandi Devi Temple. Plans are also being discussed to overhaul visitor management systems during peak religious events. But for the families mourning their loved ones, the damage is already done. A pilgrimage meant to bring peace ended in unimaginable grief.
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