At least seven people were killed and nine others injured during a stampede at Baba Siddhnath Temple in Makhdumpur of Bihar's Jehanabad district, said District Magistrate Alankrita Pandey.
"We are monitoring everything and now the situation is under control," the police official told news agency ANI.
Jehanabad Station House Officer, Divakar Kumar Vishwakarma said that the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police visited the spot and took stock of the situation.
The SHO said that the police are meeting and inquiring with the family of deceased and injured. "We are trying to identify the people (who have died), after this we will send the bodies for post-mortem...," he added.
A dispute among kanwariyas over some issue led to an altercation and scuffle, which could be the probable reason for the stampede, the DM told PTI, adding that the incident took place at around 11:30 pm on Sunday.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that the crowd swelled due to people going in and coming out of temple as footfall of devotees of Lord Shiva has increased due to month of Saavan.
"In the month of Sawan, footfall of Lord Shiv devotees (at temples) has increased. Due to this, everyone is in haste to perform puja and do it before others. From what I found out, the crowd swelled due to people going in and coming out, he said.
"There were all arrangements there but the people lacked patience. I urge all Lord Shiv devotees to have the darshan, perform 'jalabhishek' but do that carefully. My sympathies to the family of the deceased...," the Union minister added.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of Rupees 4 lakh for the next of kin of each of the victims, said his office in a statement.