A tragic stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, claimed the lives of six devotees and left several others injured early Saturday during the ongoing Sawan festivities. The incident occurred on the staircase leading to the main temple, where an overwhelming crowd had gathered to offer prayers. According to Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, who confirmed the fatalities, the temple saw an unusually heavy footfall due to the holy month, when thousands of devotees flock to Haridwar, particularly Kanwariyas collecting Ganga water for Lord Shiva.

Emergency response teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police, were immediately deployed for rescue and relief efforts. Visuals from the scene showed injured pilgrims being rushed to hospitals in ambulances, with authorities working swiftly to control the crowd and prevent further casualties. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and said he is in constant touch with officials at the site. He assured that the administration is closely monitoring the situation and that all necessary assistance is being provided.

The incident has cast a shadow over the otherwise festive spiritual atmosphere of Haridwar, a major pilgrimage destination. With the influx of devotees during Sawan, safety and crowd control measures have come under scrutiny. The Chief Minister appealed to devotees to remain calm and cooperate with local authorities. “It is extremely distressing to receive news of a stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple. I pray for the safety and well-being of all devotees,” he posted on social media. As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on stabilizing the injured and managing the ongoing religious gatherings safely.