Last Tuesday Of Chaitra, Mahavir Jayanti… What Triggered Nalanda Temple Stampede That Killed 8 Women?

Nalanda: At least eight women were killed and several others injured in a stampede at the Sheetla Temple on Tuesday, triggered by heavy overcrowding during a religious gathering.

According to initial reports, hundreds of devotees had assembled at the temple in Maghra when the situation spiralled out of control, leading to a sudden rush and chaos. Several people were trampled in the ensuing stampede.

More than half a dozen people have reportedly sustained injuries, some of them critical, raising fears that the death toll could rise.

Police from the Dipnagar Police Station reached the spot soon after receiving information and began rescue operations. The injured were rushed to a nearby government facility, where they are currently undergoing treatment.

Devotees usually gather in large numbers at the Sheetla Mata temple every Tuesday to offer prayers. As today marked the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month, a huge crowd gathered at the temple. However, chaos suddenly erupted inside the temple, triggering a stampede. As panic-stricken people tried to flee, several women were crushed due to the strong rush.

Visuals from the spot showed several devotees gathered at the temple, while the victims were being rushed to a nearby hospital in ambulances.

CM Announces Rs 6 Lakh Ex Gratia For Victims' Kin

The Bihar Government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 6 lakh each for the families of those killed in the stampede at the Maa Sheetla Temple in Nalanda on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Rs 4 lakh will be provided from the Disaster Management Department and an additional Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased.

The announcement came hours after a tragic stampede during a weekly fair at the temple left multiple devotees dead and several others injured. The incident was reportedly triggered by severe overcrowding, with hundreds of people gathered for worship.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also expressed condolences and assured full government support to affected families. In a post on X, he said the incident was “extremely heartbreaking” and added that arrangements have been made to ensure proper treatment of the injured.

"The tragic stampede incident at the Mata Sheetla Temple in Nalanda is extremely heartbreaking. I express my condolences to the families of all the devotees who lost their lives and were injured in this accident. The government is providing every possible assistance and relief to the affected families. Arrangements have been made for the proper treatment of the injured. May God grant peace to the departed souls and provide strength to the grieving families during this hour of sorrow. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured," he wrote.

Currently, in view of the gravity of the situation, shops set up at the fair in the surrounding area have been ordered to close down. Police personnel have been deployed in the area to bring the situation under control. The injured are undergoing treatment at nearby medical facilities.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic, with people running helter-skelter to escape the surge. Some devotees alleged that inadequate police deployment and crowd management contributed to the chaos. A devotee, Reena Roy, said that despite a designated queue system, many people tried to bypass it, leading to the stampede. She also flagged administrative lapses, noting that the fair is a regular Tuesday event.

Some said the incident occurred due to an insufficient deployment of police personnel.

PM Announces Rs 2 Lakh For Kin Of Dead

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced an ex gratia for the victims’ families, expressing grief over the loss of lives. In a statement shared by the Prime Minister's Office, he said the incident was “deeply painful” and extended condolences to the bereaved families while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. The Prime Minister announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of those who died, and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the mishap.