Nalanda: Eight women have died and several others were injured after a stampede broke out during a religious gathering at a temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Tuesday, officials said.
The incident occurred at the Sheetla Mata temple in Maghra village near Biharsharif, where thousands of devotees had gathered to mark Sheetla Ashtami, a day that traditionally draws large crowds to the shrine. According to local authorities, at least six people sustained injuries and were admitted to a nearby government hospital for treatment.
Witnesses said the premises became dangerously overcrowded from early morning, as worshippers arrived in large numbers for prayers and the weekly Mangla fair. Panic spread suddenly, with people reportedly tripping and falling over each other, triggering a stampede.
Police and district officials moved to shut the temple and disperse the crowd shortly after the incident, as scenes of chaos unfolded both at the site and at the hospital where victims were taken.
Two of the deceased have been identified as Rita Devi, 50, from Sakunt Bihar, and Rekha Devi, 45, from Mathurapur in Noorsarai. Efforts are under way to confirm the identities of the remaining victims.
Family members of the victims described the scale of the crowd as overwhelming. Rekha Devi’s son said she had gone to visit the fair but was caught in the crush. “There were thousands of people. By the time we reached the hospital, she had already died,” he said.
The temple, located about 5km from Biharsharif, is a prominent site for Sheetla Ashtami observances. On the occasion, devotees traditionally offer food prepared the previous day, as cooking is avoided, drawing significant footfall each year.
The incident has raised concerns over crowd management and administrative preparedness. Local residents alleged that security arrangements were insufficient despite expectations of a large turnout. Some also claimed that police deployment in the area had been limited due to other official engagements in the district.
Authorities have ordered an inquiry into the incident. Officials said the exact cause of the stampede is being investigated and action would be taken against anyone found responsible.
