At least eight people lost their lives and 12 others were injured in a stampede at the Sheetla Mata Temple in Nalanda, Bihar, on Tuesday. The tragedy occurred as a large number of devotees had gathered at the temple for prayers, with Tuesdays typically witnessing heavy footfall.
The situation turned chaotic when overcrowding led to a sudden rush, causing panic among devotees as they attempted to move out of the area. Two of the victims have been identified as Rita Devi, aged 50, and Rekha Devi, aged 45, both residents of the region.
Those injured were first taken to a nearby hospital and later shifted to a larger medical facility for better treatment. Following the incident, authorities cleared the temple premises and shut down both the site and the associated fair.
The Bihar government has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit has directed the Patna divisional commissioner and the range inspector general to submit a detailed report. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also announced compensation of ₹6 lakh for the families of those who died.
Senior district officials, including the SDPO, reached the location to assess the situation. The exact cause of the stampede is still under investigation.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic. One devotee, Mamata Devi, said the temple is usually crowded on Tuesdays and many people had come for darshan. She said panic broke out suddenly, leading to the stampede. Another visitor, Reena Rai, said she heard that some people lost consciousness while others were injured, along with reports of deaths.
A local resident, Lalit Kumar, said the crowd was larger than usual due to Mahavir Jayanti coinciding with Tuesday. He claimed that barricades gave way, triggering the stampede, and some people were trampled in the rush. He also alleged that there was inadequate police presence at the site.
Bihar Home Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the incident and extended condolences to the affected families. He said the government is providing all necessary assistance and ensuring proper medical care for the injured.
