HARIDWAR, Uttarakhand – July 27, 2025 – A tragic stampede at the revered Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Sunday morning has claimed the lives of at least six pilgrims and left dozens injured. The incident occurred around 8:30 AM IST amidst a massive surge of devotees during the auspicious month of Shravan, a period that sees a heavy influx of worshippers to the holy city.
Eyewitnesses and preliminary reports suggest that the chaos was triggered by a rumour of an overhead power line snapping and falling onto a crowded section of the walkway leading to the hilltop shrine. This sparked immediate panic among the densely packed crowd, leading to a desperate scramble for safety that turned into a deadly crush.
Haridwar SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal confirmed the fatalities, stating, “We received reports of some people being injured, following which the police took immediate action. Around 35 people were brought to the hospital and 6 have been confirmed dead. The rest are undergoing treatment.” He added that a primary investigation indicates the stampede was indeed fueled by the rumour of an electric shock on the stairs approximately 100 meters down the temple route.
Among the injured, reports indicate 20 men, 8 women, and 7 children, with two individuals in critical condition having been referred to higher medical centers. Hospital officials noted that at least one person suffered burn injuries from electrocution, while others succumbed to injuries sustained during the stampede.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy via a social media post, confirming that SDRF, local police, and other rescue teams were swiftly deployed to the site and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. He assured constant contact with the local administration and close monitoring of the situation.
The Mansa Devi temple, perched atop the Bilwa Parvat in the Shivalik Hills, is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Haridwar, drawing millions of devotees annually, especially during major festivals and the holy month of Shravan. Pilgrims typically access the temple either by a pedestrian pathway or a ropeway (Udan Khatola).
This incident once again puts a critical spotlight on crowd management and safety protocols at major religious gatherings in India. Authorities have initiated an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the power line incident and whether proper crowd control measures were in place to handle the overwhelming number of devotees. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examinations.
The situation at the temple premises is now reported to be under control, though an air of somberness hangs over the sacred grounds as rescue and relief operations continue.
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