A devastating stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, claimed the lives of eight devotees and injured over 30 others on Sunday morning, casting a shadow during the sacred month of Sawan. The incident, which occurred around 9 a.m. on a narrow 1.5-km pathway leading to the hilltop temple, was triggered by a rumour of an electric current leak, sparking widespread panic among the thousands of pilgrims gathered at the revered shrine. Investigation is on to understand what triggered the rumour allegedly suggesting electrocution.
The Mansa Devi Temple, perched atop Bilwa Parwat in the Shivalik Hills, is a significant pilgrimage site, especially during the Sawan month when devotees flock to offer prayers. On Sunday, an estimated 20,000 people visited the temple between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., far exceeding the usual daily footfall of 5,000. The narrow pathway, less than three meters wide and used for both entering and exiting, became a bottleneck as devotees surged in both directions, exacerbating the chaos when panic set in.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes of desperation as the rumour of an electrical hazard spread. “People started running in all directions. I saw families separated, children crying, and some climbing walls to escape the crush,” said Mahendra Pratap Singh, who witnessed the chaos from a nearby rooftop. The stampede occurred approximately 100 meters from the temple entrance, with videos circulating on social media showing a frantic crowd trapped between barricades, struggling to breathe and move.
The victims, aged between 8 and 60, included six from Uttar Pradesh- Arush (8) from Bareilly, Vikky (18) and Vishal (19) from Rampur, Shanti (60) and Ram Bharose (43) from Badaun, and Vakeel (43) from Barabanki, along with Shakal (18) from Araria, Bihar, and Vipin Saini (18) from Kashipur, Uttarakhand. Five of the injured were transferred to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced treatment, while others are being cared for at Haridwar’s district hospital.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief, announcing an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. “This is a heart-wrenching tragedy. We are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring all possible assistance,” he said, visiting the injured at the hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended condolences, stating, “My heart goes out to the bereaved families. May the injured recover swiftly.”
A magisterial inquiry, led by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate, has been ordered to investigate the incident, with a report due within 15 days. Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit emphasised the need for improved crowd control, noting that the tragedy might have been worse had authorities not closed the staircase route 30 minutes prior due to overcrowding. “We will enhance barricading and regulate the number of entrants to prevent such incidents,” said Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of Disaster Management.
The Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) clarified that no electrical leakage was found, dismissing claims of a short circuit. “Our inspection confirmed no bare conductors or shocks. The panic was likely due to an uncontrolled crowd,” said UPCL managing director Anil Kumar. However, locals and survivors criticised the administration, pointing to the narrow passage and inadequate police presence, especially after reduced security following the Kanwar Yatra’s conclusion on July 23.
The incident has reignited calls for better crowd management at religious sites across India, where stampedes are a recurring issue. Opposition leaders, including AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, labeled it a “systemic failure,” demanding accountability. The Mansa Devi Temple trust announced ₹5 lakh for each deceased family and ₹1 lakh for the injured, as rescue operations by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police continued to ensure no victims remained unaccounted for in the surrounding areas. All the deceased had sustained injuries in chest and other parts but no one died of electrocution, confirmed the DM.
