Stampede-Like Situation in Patna's ISKCON Temple as Devotees Thronged to Celebrate Janmashthami

Patna: Temples across the country remained extremely crowded as devotees celebrated Janmashthami, the birth of Lord Krishna.

The massive crowd at Patna's ISKCON Temple led to a stampede-like situation injuring some devotees

Janmashthami 2024: Stampede-Like Situation in Patna's ISKCON Temple

There were so many devotees at the ISKON Temple in the Bihar capital that it led to a stampede-like situation injuring some devotees, however, the security personnel deployed at the temple handled the situation well.

"The situation is orderly. For half an hour, a huge number of devotees thronged the ISKCON Temple on the occasion of the Janmashtami festival. When the crowd increased, the number of security forces also increased. All senior officers are present on the spot. The program is going on in a very orderly manner. So far, no injuries have been reported," SSP Mishra told reporters on Monday.

City Administration Denies Stampede, Issues Statement

Video clips that emerged from Patna showed security personnel trying to control the rush of devotees at the ISKCON temple. A few of them fell on the ground and were helped by the security personnel.

"There was no stampede at the ISKCON temple. Mild force was used to check those devotees who tried to enter temple premises by breaking police barricades. The situation is completely under control," the city administration later said.

Janmashtami Celebrations in Mathura and Across India

Lakhs of devotees from across the country thronged Lord Krishna temples in this holy town from early hours on Monday for Janmashtami celebrations.

The Krishna Janmabhoomi temple here held the 'Mangala Aarti' in the morning, with hundreds in attendance as the temple premises reverberated with the chants of 'Jai Jai Shri Radhey' and 'Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki'.

Pilgrims flooded the Nand Bhavan temple in Gokul for the 'Chhathi Pujan' programme, temple priest Mathura Das said.

"Till late evening nearly 25 lakh pilgrims had paid their obeisance in different temples of Mathura, Vrindavan, Goverdhan, Mahaban while un-official figures estimate more”, Senior Superintendent of Police, Shailesh Kumar Pandey said.

Delhi's Laxmi Narayan temple (Birla Mandir) was illuminated with festive lights, and so were the city's other temples, some with even flowers imported from countries like Thailand. In many areas, tableaux of Lord Krishna were displayed.

The Chhattarpur temple organised a 'Nritya Natika' (dance drama) on the theme of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, conveying the message of world peace.

At the ISKCON temple in East of Kailash, a 'Maha Puja' was performed, and the deity was offered a 'bhog' of 1,008 different dishes.

(Inputs from ANI, PTI)