Lakhisarai:
At least seven devotees were killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede at the Ashokdham Temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district on Monday morning, August 17, as thousands of pilgrims gathered to offer prayers on the third Somwari (Monday) of the holy Shravan month.
What Triggered the Stampede
The incident occurred around 6:30–6:45 a.m., when an estimated crowd of nearly 50,000 devotees had gathered at the Shiva shrine for jalabhishek. According to Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar, a collapsed electric pole carrying a cable wire sparked a false rumour of electrocution among the crowd, triggering panic. The sudden rush that followed led to a crush inside the temple premises, with people at the rear of the crowd pushing forward. Officials noted that the arrival of two trains around the same time further added to the already swollen crowd.
Rescue and Response
The injured were rushed to Lakhisarai Hospital for treatment. District administration and police personnel remained on-site to manage the remaining devotees and prevent further incidents, while further investigation into the exact sequence of events is underway.
Government Response
The Bihar government announced a solatium of ₹4 lakh each for the immediate dependents of the deceased, with the Chief Minister expressing solidarity with the bereaved families.
A Recurring Concern at This Site
This is not the first such tragedy at the Ashokdham Temple — a stampede occurred at the same site in August 2019, also during the Shravan month, underscoring long-standing concerns about crowd management at the shrine during peak pilgrimage periods.
Note: This is a developing story. Casualty figures may be revised as authorities complete their assessment. This report avoids graphic details and focuses on official statements from district authorities.
