Barabanki Temple Stampede: Two Devotees Killed, 29 Injured After Electric Shock Triggers Chaos at Ausaneshwar Mahadev Temple
Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh – In a tragic incident that unfolded in the early hours of Monday, a stampede broke out at the historic Ausaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki district’s Haidergarh area, leaving two devotees dead and at least 29 others injured. The accident occurred during a midnight religious gathering as thousands of devotees had gathered for Jalabhishek on the third Monday of the holy month of Sawan.
Chaos After Electric Current Spreads in Temple Premises
The stampede took place around 2 a.m. when an electric current unexpectedly spread through the temple premises. Initial reports suggest that a group of monkeys jumped onto overhead power lines, causing them to snap and fall onto a tin shed within the temple complex. The incident triggered panic among the large crowd gathered for the midnight ritual.
Amid loud screams and chaos, devotees started running in all directions to escape the electric shock. In the resulting stampede, two pilgrims lost their lives on the spot, while 29 others—many of them women and children—suffered injuries. Eyewitnesses described the scene as one of utter panic and confusion.
Emergency Response and Administration’s Swift Action
Police personnel were already deployed at the temple due to the expected rush of devotees. However, following the incident, additional police forces and administrative officials swiftly reached the site. District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi and Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya personally supervised rescue and relief operations.
Injured pilgrims were immediately rushed to the Haidergarh and Trivediganj Community Health Centers. Critically injured individuals were later referred to the Barabanki District Hospital for advanced treatment.
“Situation Under Control,” Say Officials
Speaking to the media, DM Shashank Tripathi confirmed the cause of the electric current and assured that the situation is now under control. “The mishap occurred due to a snapped wire falling on a tin shed after monkeys jumped on the electric line. Prompt medical care has been provided, and the temple has resumed normal functioning,” he said.
Pilgrims continued their religious offerings and prayers later in the day, even as an official investigation was launched to determine accountability and to prevent such incidents in the future.
Second Tragedy in 24 Hours – After Haridwar Incident
This is the second temple tragedy reported within 24 hours. On Sunday, a stampede at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar led to the deaths of eight devotees. That incident, according to reports, was caused by panic following rumors of an electric shock spreading in the temple area, although no actual current was found.
The twin tragedies have once again highlighted the urgent need for robust crowd and electrical safety management during peak pilgrimage seasons, especially during Sawan, when temples across North India witness massive footfall.
About Ausaneshwar Mahadev Temple
The Ausaneshwar Mahadev Temple is a revered site for Lord Shiva devotees and draws large crowds during the Sawan month. As per the Archaeological Department, the temple is nearly 450 years old and sprawls across 2.5 acres of land. It is one of the most significant religious and historical sites in the Barabanki region.
