Six Killed in Stampede at Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar

Haridwar – At least six people lost their lives in a stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, early Sunday morning, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Singh Dobal confirmed.

The tragic incident occurred due to severe overcrowding, as thousands of devotees flocked to the temple during the ongoing holy month of Shravan.

According to eyewitnesses, chaos erupted when devotees began pushing and shoving while standing in long queues, leading to panic and a sudden stampede.

Rescue and relief efforts were launched immediately. Medical teams and ambulances were rushed to the scene, and the injured were quickly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities have confirmed that relief operations are still in progress and the situation remains under close watch.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured that he is closely monitoring the situation.

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister stated:
"Extremely distressing news has come in about a stampede at Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar. The Uttarakhand SDRF, local police, and rescue teams have reached the site and are actively engaged in relief operations. I am in constant touch with the local administration and pray to Mata Rani for the safety of all devotees."

Further details are awaited as authorities continue to investigate the cause and assess the full extent of the tragedy.

Every year, Haridwar witnesses a massive influx of pilgrims during the month of Shravan, especially at prominent temples like Mansa Devi and Har Ki Pauri. However, this year’s unusually large crowds overwhelmed security and crowd management measures, resulting in yet another preventable disaster.

This incident adds to a growing list of deadly stampedes across India this year, with over 50 fatalities reported at religious sites, railway stations, and public gatherings so far.

With inputs from IANS