Latest news with #SreeDeviLairai
NDTV
4 days ago
- General
- NDTV
Bengaluru To Maha Kumbh, List Of Major Stampedes In India Since Last Year
A celebration marking RCB's (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) much-awaited IPL victory after 18 long years took a tragic turn as stampedes broke out outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and Vidhana Souda, with at least 11 people feared dead. Thousands of people gathered to celebrate RCB and witness the felicitation ceremony of the team, held by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). However, the celebration soon turned ghastly. Two people died on the premises of the Vidhana Soudha, where the RCB squad proceeded from the airport to meet with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. At least nine others died outside the stadium. In the last year, India has seen at least six major stampedes, taking hundreds of lives. Here is a list: New Delhi Railway Station, February 2025 At least 18 people, including 11 women and five children, died in a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on February 15. The passengers were waiting to board trains for Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh Mela was held. The incident took place on foot-overbridges connecting platforms 14 and 15, when some passengers slipped while descending, causing panic and a deadly crush. However, according to some sources, delays in train departures and the sale of 1,500 general tickets every hour may have created a chaotic situation at the station; others indicated that wrong announcements about a change of platforms may have created confusion that led to the stampede, PTI reported. Maha Kumbh, January 2025 At least 30 people were killed, and 60 others were injured in a stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. In the early hours of January 29, ahead of the 'Amrit Snan', a large number of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on the auspicious occasion of 'Mauni Amavasya', which led to a stampede. Goa Temple, May 2025 At least six people were killed and over 50 injured after a stampede broke out during the annual Lairai Devi jatra (procession) in Shirgaon, North Goa. The incident occurred at the revered Sree Devi Lairai temple, about 40 km from the state capital Panaji, amid a large crowd of devotees who had gathered for the annual festival. Overcrowding and insufficient security management reportedly triggered the chaos, causing a stampede. Tirupati Temple, January 2025 Six people died in a stampede at Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati temple during the distribution of tokens. The incident occurred on January 8 at the Vishnu Niwasam at Tirupati during the distribution of tokens for Vaikuntha Dwara Sarvadarshanam - a special 'darshan' for devotees. Darshan tokens for the 10-day festival were to be handed out from 5 am on January 9. However, thousands of people gathered the night before at counters set up by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which oversees temple operations. The crowd reportedly thronged the ticket counters and became unruly. According to BR Naidu, chairman of TTD, when a gate was opened to assist a woman feeling unwell, the crowd surged forward all at once, leading to chaos. Sandhya Theatre, December 2024 On December 4, the premiere of ' Pushpa 2: The Rule ' at Sandhya theatre in Hyderabad turned ghastly as a massive crowd thronged the venue to catch a glimpse of the film's lead actor, Allu Arjun. According to police, the theatre's main gate collapsed under the pressure of the crowd. The police resorted to lathi charge to control the mob, but the stampede turned fatal, killing a 35-year-old woman and injuring her nine-year-old son. The little boy died in the hospital. Hathras Satsang, July 2024 In Uttar Pradesh's Hathras, a gathering of people at the satsang of Narayan Sakar Hari, popularly called 'Bhole Baba', turned chaotic, leading to the death of 121 people. The organisers of the satsang reportedly sought permission for a gathering of 80,000 people. However, over 2.5 lakh people turned up.
NDTV
03-05-2025
- General
- NDTV
What Is Goa's Lairai Festival, During Which 6 Died In A Temple Stampede
Panaji: A stampede during the Lairai Devi jatra in Shirgaon, North Goa, left at least six people dead and over 50 injured. The incident occurred at the revered Sree Devi Lairai temple, about 40 km from Panaji, amid a large crowd of devotees gathered for the annual festival. Initial reports indicate that overcrowding and insufficient security management triggered the chaos, although an official cause is yet to be confirmed. The incident has drawn national attention to one of the state's most iconic religious events. So, what is the Lairai jatra, and why does it draw such massive crowds every year? Who is Goddess Lairai? Lairai, one of the seven sister deities worshipped in Goan mythology, is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The village of Shirgaon has been the focal point of her worship for generations, with the temple playing host to elaborate rituals and processions in her honour every year. For how long has the Lairai Festival been celebrated? The Lairai Devi jatra is an annual religious fair that spans six days and is among Goa's most awaited temple festivals. It has been observed for generations, blending religious devotion with deeply rooted cultural traditions. For tourists and locals alike, the highlight of the festival is the symbolic fire-walking ritual. What makes the festival unique? What sets the Lairai jatra apart is the dramatic Agnidivya ritual - a fire-walking ceremony where devotees known as Dhonds walk barefoot across burning embers. A group of male devotees, known as Dhonds, prepare spiritually and physically for weeks before walking barefoot across the bed of glowing embers. Considered an act of immense faith and devotion, this ritual takes place in the early hours and is the spiritual centrepiece of the event. Traditionally, the number of Dhonds was fewer than 20, but the figure has grown to around 40 to 45 in recent years. Participants range in age from children as young as 10 to elders in their 70s. They prepare through fasting and prayer, often accompanied by community support and temple rituals. How is the community involved? The jatra spans six days, marked by religious ceremonies, fasting, and large communal meals. On the eve of the fire-walking ritual, the temple organises a Mahaprasad, or grand feast, in which villagers and visitors from nearby areas come together. Families and local communities contribute food and resources, underlining the collective nature of the event. The shared participation in both devotion and hospitality helps sustain the festival's vibrancy and scale. Why does the festival attract such large crowds? Every year, the event draws thousands of people from Goa as well as neighbouring states like Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is one of the most well-known festivals in the Konkan region due to its scale, rituals and strong cultural ties. For many, it is not just a festival but a deep-rooted cultural tradition passed down through generations.
NDTV
03-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Unfortunate": PM Modi, Gandhis React To Goa Temple Stampede
Quick Take Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. A stampede during a temple festival in Shirgaon, Goa, resulted in at least six deaths and over 50 injuries. The incident led to chaos among thousands of devotees. Politicians expressed condolences over the incident. New Delhi: At least six people died and over 50 others were injured when a stampede broke out during an annual temple festival in Goa's Shirgaon early Saturday. The incident took place at the Sree Devi Lairai temple, around 40 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji, when panic spread as thousands of devotees had gathered for the Lairai Devi jatra (procession). While the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment, the exact c ause of the stampede is yet to be confirmed. However, reports suggest that it took place due to overcrowding and a lack of crowd control measures. Eyewitnesses said around 4-4:30 am, there was a sudden rush of the crowd at the Sree Devi Lairai temple. Chaotic scenes unfolded as people struggled to escape the dense crowd. Many politicians, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and members of the Gandhi family, expressed grief over the incident. "Sad to know about the unfortunate incident of a stampede in Shirgao, Goa which claimed several lives. I extend my condolences to bereaved family members and pray for quick recovery of the injured," the President wrote in a post on X. Sad to know about the unfortunate incident of a stampede in Shirgao, Goa which claimed several lives. I extend my condolences to bereaved family members and pray for quick recovery of the injured. — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 3, 2025 PM Modi said, "Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected." He also spoke to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and offered his full support. Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 3, 2025 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences and said, "The news of the death of several devotees and injury of many others in a stampede during the annual pilgrimage to the Lerai Devi Temple in Shirgaon, Goa is very sad. Also, I hope for the speedy recovery of all the injured." गोवा के शिरगांव स्थित लैराई देवी मंदिर में वार्षिक यात्रा के दौरान भगदड़ में कई श्रद्धालुओं की मृत्यु और अनेक के घायल होने का समाचार बहुत दुखद है। सभी शोकाकुल परिजनों को अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं। साथ ही, सभी घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की आशा करता हूं। — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 3, 2025 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said: "It is extremely sad to hear about the death of several devotees and injuries to many others due to a stampede during the annual pilgrimage to the Lerai Devi Temple in Shirgaon, Goa. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured." शिरगांव, गोवा के लैराई देवी मंदिर में वार्षिक यात्रा के दौरान भगदड़ की वजह से कई श्रद्धालुओं की मृत्यु और कई के घायल होने का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद है। ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्माओं को शांति प्रदान करें। शोक-संतप्त परिवारों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं। घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना… — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 3, 2025 The Goa Chief Minister said he visited the hospital to meet the injured and assured all possible support to the affected families. "Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and have assured all possible support to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure that every necessary measure is being taken. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji spoke with me and took detailed stock of the situation, offering his full support during this difficult time," he said. Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and have assured all possible support to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure that every necessary measure is being… — Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) May 3, 2025 The Goa authorities have started a 24/7 helpline and 104 helpline for medical emergencies, Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said. The Goa Medical College and other district hospitals are fully equipped, and 10 advanced ambulances have been deployed, he added.
United News of India
03-05-2025
- United News of India
Six killed in stampede in Goa temple
Mumbai, May 3 (UNI) At least six people were killed and more than 60 injured in a stampede during the annual Lairai Devi jatra (procession) at a temple in Goa's Shirgaon early Saturday. According to available details, the incident took place at the Sree Devi Lairai temple when panic spread during the large religious gathering of fire walking, causing a sudden rush among thousands of devotees. Witnesses said there was chaotic scene as people struggled to escape the dense crowd. The injured were admitted in local hospital. Further details are awaited. UNI AAA KK
