New Delhi: On the third Monday of Sawan, there was sudden chaos among the devotees who had come to perform Jalabhishek of Lord Shiva at the famous Ashokdham temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar. A stampede occurred after rumors of an electric wire falling and electric current spreading. Seven devotees died in the accident, while more than 12 people are said to be injured. The injured have been sent to Lakhisarai Sadar Hospital for treatment. According to eyewitnesses, a large number of Kanwariyas and devotees were present in the temple on Monday morning. People were standing in queue to offer water to Shivalinga.
Meanwhile, a rumor spread about electrocution in the electric pole in the temple premises. Within no time, fear arose among the people and the devotees started running towards a safe place. Due to the sudden increase in the crowd, many people collided with each other and fell. After this, many devotees got buried under the stampede. There was screams at the spot. The local people and the devotees present there helped in taking out the buried people. After receiving the information, police, administration and medical team reached the spot and started relief work.
The accident happened at quarter to seven in the morning
According to Lakhisarai DM Shailendra Kumar, in view of the third Monday of Sawan, the administration had made advance arrangements for crowd control in the temple. The administrative team was present on the spot since around 3:30 in the morning. However, after the stoppage of two trains, suddenly a large number of devotees reached the temple, whereas the complex was already very crowded. DM said that between 6:40 and 6:45 in the morning, due to increasing pressure of the crowd, the barricading towards the farm broke. After this many people fell on each other. The injured were taken to the hospital by ambulance, where a team of doctors is treating them.
Ashokdham temple has special recognition
Ashokdham Temple is also known as Shri Indradamneshwar Mahadev Temple. There is religious belief attached to the huge Shivalinga installed in the temple. It is said that this Shivalinga was found from the ground during excavation and it is considered to be related to the Pala period. A large number of devotees reach here during Sawan. A huge crowd had gathered on the third Monday also. After the accident, the police and administration are busy investigating the entire matter. The official status of the number of deaths and injuries and the exact cause of the accident are being investigated.