In a tragic incident at Baba Siddheshwar Nath Temple in Bihar’s Jehanabad district, at least seven people were killed, and 16 others were injured in a stampede late Sunday night. The stampede occurred during the Kanwar Yatra when a dispute among the kanwariyas, possibly involving local flower sellers, led to chaos. Security forces quickly intervened, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, with ten being discharged after first aid. The exact cause of the stampede is under investigation, with the district administration ordering an inquiry and offering financial assistance to the families of the deceased.

During the holy month of Shravan, thousands of kanwariyas undertake the Kanwar Yatra, a significant Hindu pilgrimage. Devotees carry sacred water from the Ganges to pour over Shiva lingams in temples, traveling long distances on foot or by vehicle. The pilgrimage is a time of deep spiritual significance, but this year, the celebration turned tragic due to the unfortunate events at the temple.

District Magistrate Alankrita Pandey confirmed that security personnel had managed to bring the situation under control, and senior officials from the district administration and police were deployed at the temple to manage the large crowds. An investigation is ongoing to determine the precise cause of the stampede, with some locals suggesting that a heated argument outside the temple may have triggered the incident. The administration has announced compensation for the victims’ families and is working to identify those who lost their lives.