Mansa Devi Stampede: A Look At Recent Stampedes At Religious Gatherings In India

A large crowd had assembled at the temple when chaos broke out. Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed that 55 people were injured, several of whom are undergoing treatment

An injured person being taken for treatment after a stampede broke out at Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar.

Source : PTI

At least seven devotees lost their lives and over 50 were injured in a stampede at the revered Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The incident occurred on the stairways leading to the main shrine, reportedly following panic triggered by rumours of electrocution.

According to officials, a large crowd had assembled at the temple when chaos broke out. Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed that 55 people were injured, several of whom are undergoing treatment at local hospitals. Visuals from the site showed ambulances ferrying the injured and teams engaged in emergency response.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police were on the ground, conducting relief and rescue operations. Here are some of the major stampede incidents reported at religious gatherings and temples across India.

Mahakumbh Mela Stampede (January 2025)

A stampede during the Mahakumbh Mela on Mauni Amavasya at Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj led to at least 15 deaths. The incident occurred in the early hours of 15 January 2025, when a surge in pilgrims resulted in chaos. With around 10 crore attendees expected that day, the crowd pressure proved overwhelming.

Tragedy at Bhole Baba Satsang In Hathras (July 2024)

On 2 July 2024, over 120 people, mostly women, died in a stampede at a satsang organised by Suraj Pal, known as Bhole Baba, in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. The event was held in a muddy field where about 80,000 devotees had gathered inside a makeshift tent, triggering panic and crowd collapse.

Indore Temple Stampede (March 2023)

On 30 March 2023, during a Ram Navami havan in Indore city, a slab constructed over an ancient stepwell (bawdi) collapsed, resulting in the death of at least 36 people. The accident occurred as devotees gathered on the structure to offer prayers.

Vaishno Devi Shrine Stampede (January 2022)

On 1 January 2022, a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir left 12 people dead and several others injured. The tragedy was caused by overcrowding during New Year pilgrimages.

Pushkaram Festival Stampede (July 2015)

A stampede at a bathing ghat in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, on 14 July 2015, during the Pushkaram festival, resulted in 27 deaths. The crowd surge occurred on the opening day as thousands gathered to take a holy dip in the Godavari river.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the Haridwar incident and have urged devotees to remain calm and follow crowd management protocols during religious events.