2025-07-28T01:57:06Z

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In a heart-wrenching incident that has left many in shock, at least two lives were tragically lost during a stampede at the Awsaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, early Monday morning. What was intended to be a day of devotion quickly turned into a nightmare when an electric wire fell on a tin shed, sending a wave of panic through the crowd of worshippers.

The chaos unfolded just after 3 AM, as devotees gathered for the sacred jalabhishek ritual, a significant event celebrated during the month of Sawan. Among those who lost their lives was 22-year-old Prashant from the village of Mubarakpura, while the identity of the second victim remains unknown. Both succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment at the nearby Trivediganj Community Health Center.

Eyewitness accounts reveal that the incident was triggered by monkeys playing around overhead power lines, which ultimately caused the wires to snap and fall onto the tin structure. District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi stated that approximately 19 devotees were shocked by the electrical current, which spread through the metal of the shed, creating chaos and panic among the throngs of worshippers.

“Devotees had gathered for darshan on the third Monday of Sawan, and the unfortunate event occurred when some monkeys jumped on the overhead electric wires,” Tripathi explained. “The situation is under control now.”

Footage from the incident shows the aftermath of the stampede, with police already on the scene to manage the crowd. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event is currently underway.

This incident marks the second tragedy linked to temple stampedes within just 48 hours. On Sunday, a chaotic scene at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar led to eight fatalities and left about 30 others injured after panic erupted due to rumors of an electric shock near the stairway entrance. Haridwar's SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal confirmed the chaos during a weekend surge of pilgrims climbing the temple's steep 500-foot ascent.

In light of these horrific incidents, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called for immediate relief efforts and proper medical assistance for the injured, while Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the Haridwar incident.