Subhechcha Ganguly 
Tragedy struck at Uttarakhand’s revered Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar on Sunday morning as a stampede claimed the lives of at least six devotees and left several others injured. The chaos reportedly erupted around 9 am on the stairway path leading to the temple after someone allegedly shouted about a live electric wire, triggering panic among the crowd.
Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit, citing eyewitness accounts, stated that a rumour about an electric current on the pathway caused the sudden commotion. “Initial findings indicate there was no electric current at the site. It was a false alarm that created panic among the pilgrims,” he said. He confirmed six deaths and added that around 10 to 15 people sustained injuries, some of whom have been referred to higher medical centres for treatment.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were rushed to the site immediately after the incident. “Our teams are carrying out relief and rescue operations. The situation is under control,” said SDRF commandant Arpan Yaduvansi.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the loss of lives and said, “Deeply saddened by the tragic news of a stampede on the pathway leading to Mansa Devi temple. I am in constant touch with the local administration and closely monitoring the rescue operations. A magisterial inquiry will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the incident.”
According to Ujjwal Pundit, a teerth purohit of the Ganga Sabha, the structure of a boundary wall near the path might have contributed to the crowding and panic. “We heard devotees crying for help. The narrow stairway path led to immediate chaos. Local traders and residents assisted the authorities in evacuating the injured,” he said.
A devotee from Uttar Pradesh who witnessed the stampede mentioned that around 20 people appeared to be injured. Following the incident, temple gates were closed, and pilgrims were instructed to return.
Located atop Bilwa Parvat on the Shivalik Hills, the Mansa Devi temple is one of the most significant Hindu shrines in Haridwar, drawing thousands of pilgrims daily, especially during the ongoing Shravan month. The shrine is accessible by a 1.5-km footpath or via a ropeway service.
The administration has assured a thorough investigation and necessary safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
