From Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh to Kerala, hundreds of people have lost their lives due to stampede at religious places

New Delhi : More than 100 people died in a stampede at a religious gathering in a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district on Tuesday. Women and children were the majority of those killed. Many others were injured in the accident. This tragic incident is not an isolated one, as stampedes at religious gatherings have led to several deaths in India in the past few years. In recent years, stampedes at religious places have led to several other tragedies.

Maharashtra: Mandhardevi temple 350 people died

• On January 25, 2005, at the Mandhardevi temple in Satara district of Maharashtra, more than 350 devotees were crushed to death. Hundreds were injured. The incident occurred when some people fell on the slippery stairs while breaking coconuts.
• On 27 August 2003, 39 people were killed in a stampede during the holy bath at the Kumbh Mela in Nasik district of Maharashtra. About 140 were injured in the accident.

Hathras is not the first case… Major incidents of stampede in temples and religious events in India

Rajasthan: Stampede at Chamunda Devi temple, 250 dead

• On 30 September 2008, a stampede occurred at the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur city of Rajasthan due to a bomb rumour, in which about 250 devotees were killed. More than 300 were injured in the accident.

Himachal Pradesh: 162 people died in Naina Devi

• In 2008, a stampede during a religious ceremony at the Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh claimed the lives of 162 people.

Today’s latest news: Who is responsible for 134 deaths in Hathras? Read the top 5 news of July 3 morning

Madhya Pradesh: 115 people died in Datia

• On 13 October 2013, 115 people were killed and over 100 injured in a stampede during Navratri celebrations near the Ratangarh temple in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh. The stampede was triggered by a rumour that a bridge over a river on which pilgrims were crossing was about to collapse.
• At least 36 people were killed on March 31, 2023 when a slab over an ancient ‘baoli’ or well collapsed during a havan programme at a temple in Indore city.

Kerala: 104 died in Sabarimala

• On January 14, 2011, a jeep collided with returning pilgrims at Pullamedu in Sabarimala in Idukki district of Kerala, causing a stampede in which at least 104 devotees were killed and over 40 injured.

Where is Bhole Baba hiding after Hathras stampede? Police surrounded the ashram in Mainpuri

Bihar: Stampede at Gandhi Maidan in Patna

• On 3 October 2014, a stampede occurred at Gandhi Maidan in Patna just after the Dussehra celebrations ended, killing 32 people and injuring 26 others.
• On 19 November 2012, a temporary bridge collapsed during Chhath Puja at Adalat Ghat on the banks of the Ganges River in Patna. This led to a stampede in which about 20 people died and many others were injured.

Jammu: Stampede at Vaishno Devi temple

• On January 1, 2022, a stampede occurred due to a massive crowd of devotees at the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir, killing at least 12 people and injuring over a dozen.

Hathras Satsang incident: Screams all around, shoes and slippers scattered, people searching for their loved ones in the crowd of dead bodies

Andhra Pradesh: 27 pilgrims lost their lives in Rajahmundry

• On 14 July 2015, 27 pilgrims died and 20 others were injured in a stampede at a major bathing spot on the banks of the Godavari river on the opening day of the ‘Pushkaram’ festival in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh.

Hathras Stampede: Saakar Hari alias Bhole Baba preaches in suit-boot-tie, Akhilesh Yadav has also attended the court

UP: Stampede in Haridwar, 20 dead

• On 8 November 2011, at least 20 people were killed in a stampede at the Har-Ki-Pauri Ghat on the banks of the River Ganges in Haridwar.
• On 4 March 2010, about 63 people died in a stampede at Kripalu Maharaj’s Ram Janaki temple in Pratapgarh district of Uttar Pradesh.
• People had gathered to receive free clothes and food from the self-proclaimed Baba.