Bihar temple stampede: At least eight women lost their lives and several others were injured in a tragic stampede at the Sheetla Mata Temple in Nalanda district on Tuesday morning, as a massive crowd of devotees gathered for weekly rituals.
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The incident occurred due to severe overcrowding within the temple premises, leading to a sudden rush in which multiple people were crushed. Visuals from the site showed chaotic scenes, with large numbers of devotees packed into confined spaces.
Rescue Operations Launched Amid Chaos
Police personnel and district administration officials rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information about the stampede. Relief and rescue operations were launched with the help of local villagers.
Confirming the fatalities, Bihar Sharif Assistant Superintendent of Police Noorul Haque said, “At least eight women died in the stampede at Sheetla Mata temple on Tuesday morning. Police personnel and officials of the district administration have reached the spot, and rescue work is ongoing.”
The injured were shifted to nearby medical facilities, where they are currently undergoing treatment.
Bihar temple stampede: Ex-gratia announced
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia of ₹6 lakh for the families of each deceased victim. The compensation includes ₹4 lakh from the Disaster Management Department and ₹2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
“This incident is extremely tragic, and I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede at the Shitala Devi Temple in Nalanda,” a press note from the Chief Minister’s office read.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed deep grief over the incident, calling it “extremely heartbreaking.” In a post on X, he assured that the government is providing all possible assistance and has made arrangements for proper treatment of the injured.
Eyewitnesses Blame Mismanagement and Lack of Crowd Control
Eyewitnesses reported that the temple witnesses heavy footfall every Tuesday, with devotees arriving from across Bihar, including Patna. However, the rush was significantly higher as it coincided with the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month, considered highly auspicious.
Several witnesses blamed poor crowd management for the Bihar temple stampede. One eyewitness said the incident occurred due to “mismanagement,” while another pointed out that devotees rushed forward without maintaining queues, triggering panic and chaos.
Some locals also alleged inadequate police deployment, which may have worsened the situation.
Probe Ordered as Administration Faces Questions
Following the tragedy, the Bihar Government ordered a detailed probe into the incident. The Chief Secretary has been directed to investigate the causes and ensure accountability.
Authorities have also instructed officials to restore normalcy in the area at the earliest. The Patna Commissioner has been dispatched to Bihar Sharif to oversee the situation on the ground.
As a precautionary measure, shops at the ongoing weekly fair near the temple have been ordered to shut down in view of the Bihar temple stampede.
President Murmu’s Visit Adds Administrative Pressure
The incident coincided with the visit of Droupadi Murmu to Nalanda, where she is scheduled to visit the historic Nalanda ruins located near the temple.
At the time of the stampede, several senior administrative officials were reportedly engaged in preparations for the President’s movement, raising concerns about resource allocation and preparedness at the temple site.
