Lakhisarai: At least seven devotees were killed and more than a dozen others injured after a stampede-like incident broke out near the Ashok Dham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district on Monday morning. The tragedy occurred on the third Monday of the holy month of Sawan, when a large number of devotees had gathered at the temple for ‘Jalabhishek’.
According to preliminary information, the incident took place between around 6:30 am and 7 am, when the crowd near Ashok Dham Halt and the temple route became extremely heavy. Officials said two trains were also present at the nearby station, adding to the congestion in the area.
Panic reportedly began after an electric pole or wire fell amid the crowd. A rumour that the fallen wire might still be live is believed to have triggered fear among devotees. As people tried to move away quickly, the densely packed crowd surged, resulting in several people falling to the ground and being crushed. Officials have stressed that the exact cause of the incident will be established only after a detailed investigation.
All seven people who died were women, according to reports. Four of the deceased have been identified as Hemlata Devi, Lalita Devi, Rinku Devi and Manmala Devi. Authorities are working to establish the identities of the remaining victims.
At least 14 people were reported injured in the incident. Rescue teams, police personnel and district administration officials reached the spot soon after the incident. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while authorities continued efforts to manage the crowd and restore order around the temple premises.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the deaths and directed officials to ensure proper and immediate medical treatment for the injured. He also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the family of each deceased devotee.
The incident has once again raised concerns over crowd management and safety arrangements at major religious gatherings. Ashok Dham, also known as the Shri Indradamneshwar Mahadev Temple, attracts large crowds during Sawan, particularly on Mondays when devotees arrive in significant numbers to offer prayers and perform Jalabhishek.
The district administration has begun examining the circumstances that led to the sudden crowd surge. Officials are expected to assess the arrangements at the temple, the railway halt and the movement of devotees to determine how the tragedy unfolded and whether additional crowd-control measures are required during future religious gatherings.
