Sawan Tragedy: 7 Devotees Killed in Stampede at Bihar's Ashok Dham Temple
What Happened
At least 7 devotees were killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede at Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, during the third Monday of the holy month of Shravan. The incident occurred around 6:30-6:45 AM amid a massive rush of devotees. Authorities said the crowd surged after two trains arrived near the temple, causing barricades to collapse. Some reports also mention that a fallen electric pole or rumours of electrocution triggered panic among devotees, leading to the stampede. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause.
Key Takeaways
The tragedy highlights recurring crowd-management challenges at major religious gatherings during the Shravan season. Bihar authorities have announced compensation for victims' families and ordered an inquiry.