Nalanda Stampede: At least 12 people were left injured and 8 died after a stampede broke out because of overcrowding around the premises of the Sheetla Mata Temple. The temple is located under Dipnagar Police Station of Nalanda in Bihar.
Nalanda Stampede-Turn Of Events
Large number of devotees had gathered at the temple as it was the last day of the Hindu Chaitra month.
Suddenly, chaos broke out triggering a stampede. As people tried to desperately escape the chaos, several women were left trapped in the rush and lost their lives after being crushed.
Senior district officials including the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) immediately rushed to the temple premises after learning about the accident.
About Sheetalashtami Temple
The temple is situarted in Maghra Village that is about 5 kilometres away from Nalanda (Bihar Sharif). Devotees gather in large numbers on Asthami (Shitla Ashtami) of Chaitra month’s Krishna Paksha. The stove is not lit in the houses in the adjoining areas as it is a tradition on the auspicious day of Sheetla Asthami.
Nalanda Stampede-Why Is Crowd Safety Still A Challenge In India?
From political rallies to temple festivals and railway stations, crowd-related disasters are quite common across India. One of the biggest reasons behind a series of stampedes in India is the lack of civic sense in the country.
People openly flout rules and regulations. Moreover, festivals in the country attract thousands and even millions of devotees within a short time-frame with each trying hands to be the first and fastest to reach the premises.
Also, a majority of religious sites in the country, especially those in smaller towns and villages, were never designed or are equipped to handle massive crowds. Lack of barricading, narrow entry and exit points, illiteracy and absence of designated pathways often turn minor issues into life-endangering situations.
 immediately rushed to the temple premises.){kind=link}