Haridwar, July 27: A stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar early Sunday morning left several devotees injured, triggering fresh concerns over crowd management at major religious sites. The incident occurred during the ongoing holy month of Shravan, which witnesses massive pilgrim turnout across the region.
According to eyewitnesses, the stampede broke out due to severe overcrowding as thousands of devotees thronged the temple premises. Chaos erupted when people began pushing each other while waiting in long queues, causing panic and a sudden rush.
Rescue teams responded swiftly, with medical personnel and ambulances reaching the site promptly. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, where they are receiving treatment. Authorities confirmed that relief operations are still ongoing and the situation is being closely monitored.
Haridwar’s Mansa Devi Temple and Har Ki Pauri are among the most frequented pilgrimage sites in northern India, especially during the Shravan month. However, this year’s overwhelming crowd pushed the safety systems to the brink, leading to the unfortunate incident.
The tragedy adds to the growing number of stampedes in India in 2025. Over 50 lives have already been lost in similar incidents this year. On January 8, a stampede at the Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh claimed six lives. On January 29, the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj saw 30 deaths and 60 injuries during a rush at the Sangam.
New Delhi Railway Station witnessed a deadly stampede on February 15, leaving 18 dead. Other recent tragedies include stampedes at Goa’s Lairai Devi Temple in May and Bengaluru’s IPL celebration in June.
Further details regarding the Mansa Devi incident are awaited as authorities continue to assess the situation and investigate the causes behind the stampede.
