At least seven people killed, several injured in stampede at Jehanabad’s Baba Siddhnath in Bihar

The death toll can mount further, said local residents. Photo: X/@PTI_News

At least seven devotees died and several injured on Monday (August 12, 2024) in a stampede at the Baba Siddhnath Temple on Banavar hillock under Makhdumpur block of Jehanabad district of central Bihar.

The death toll can mount further, said local residents. All the 10 injured persons are admitted in the local government hospital and are undergoing treatment.

The Jehanabad District Magistrate Alankrita Pandey confirmed that at least seven devotes have died and 10 of them were injured in a stampede which happened on Monday morning at Baba Siddhnath Temple. “The situation is under control now and the district administration officials have reached the place”, she added.

The incident occurred at Banavar hillock under Makhdumpur block of Jehanabad district of central Bihar. On the fourth Monday of the holy Shrawan month, there was said to be huge rush of devotees of lord Shiva at the temple to offer puja (worship).

Among the dead, three are said to be women. The deceased women in the incident have been identified as Poonam Devi, Sushila Devi and Nisha Devi — all residents of Makhdumpur in Jehanabad district.

Siddheshwar Nath Temple is a popular temple in the area, also known as “Baba Siddhanath temple” or “Shiva temple”, and is located at one of the hillocks in the Barabar range of hills. The temple was built during seventh century A.D. of the Gupta period and legends attribute the construction of the temple to king Bana, father-in-law of the legendary king Jarasandha of ancient Rajgriha (Rajgir) which is located about 30 kms from Jehanabad.

The famous Barabar caves are situated in the hilly area of Makhdumpur, some 25 kms south of Jehanabad district headquarters.

The inconsolable family members of the victims are gathered at the Makhdumpur government hospital mourning their loss.

The local people blamed local administration for not taking “precautionary measures” to tackle the huge crowd gathered at the temple on this holy day to offer worship. Some volunteers along with police personnel deputed at the temple site to manage crowds are said to have used batons to control them which led to the stampede, eyewitnesses told local media persons.

Earlier, over 100 devotees had died in a religious congregation at a place dedicated to Baba Narayan Hari in Hathras in neighbouring State of Uttar Pradesh.

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