In a heartbreaking incident, a stampede at the Tirupati temple claimed six lives and left over 40 injured on Wednesday night (January 8). The tragedy occurred amidst preparations for the 10-day Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam, a significant event that attracts thousands of devotees to one of India’s holiest pilgrimage sites.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
The mishap took place at Bairagi Pattida Park, where over 4,000 devotees had gathered to collect special darshan tokens. Amidst the crowd, a woman named Mallika, who was in the queue, suddenly fell ill. Authorities opened the gates to escort her to the hospital, but this well-intentioned move inadvertently triggered chaos.
The crowd surged forward, mistakenly believing the gates had opened for general entry. The sudden rush overwhelmed temple officials and led to a massive stampede. Tragically, Mallika, the very devotee for whom the gates were opened, was among the six people who lost their lives.
Official Response
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board has expressed profound regret over the incident. Bhanu Prakash Reddy, a TTD board member, issued an apology, stating, “This has never happened in TTD’s history. Six devotees died, and 40 sustained injuries. We are providing the best medical facilities possible. An inquiry will be conducted, and serious action will follow.”
Relief and Inquiry
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has taken immediate cognizance of the situation. Convening a meeting with senior officials, he expressed his displeasure at the lack of adequate crowd management and directed urgent relief measures. The Chief Minister is scheduled to visit the temple to oversee the situation and extend his condolences to the bereaved families.
Concerns Over Crowd Management
The incident has raised critical questions about the temple’s crowd management strategies, especially during peak festival periods. Tirupati is one of the most visited religious sites in the world, drawing millions of devotees annually. While the temple’s administration has faced logistical challenges before, this tragedy underscores the need for more robust safety measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.