Six Dead in Stampede at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi Temple; CM Orders Probe, Announces Compensation

Haridwar : At least six devotees lost their lives in a tragic stampede near the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Sunday morning. The incident occurred due to severe overcrowding during the auspicious Shravan month, as thousands of pilgrims gathered at the holy site. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Singh Doval, the situation spiraled out of control when people standing in long queues began pushing each other, resulting in panic and chaos.

Eyewitnesses described the moment as one of utter confusion, with the crowd surging uncontrollably, leading to people being trampled. Emergency teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and medical personnel, were immediately deployed. Rescue operations were swiftly initiated, and the injured were transported to nearby hospitals for urgent care.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed profound grief over the incident. He visited the Haridwar District Hospital later in the day to meet the injured and oversee their treatment. “On reaching the hospital, I reviewed the condition of the injured pilgrims and instructed doctors to ensure they receive the best possible care,” he wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I pray for their speedy recovery and assure that the government stands firmly with all affected families.”

Chief Minister Dhami announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for each injured person. A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered to investigate the circumstances leading to the tragedy. “The injured are being treated at various hospitals, and some have been referred to AIIMS Rishikesh,” he told reporters. “We’ve issued a toll-free helpline and are coordinating with local authorities to ensure all necessary support is extended.”

AIIMS Rishikesh Director Dr. Meenu Singh confirmed that 15 patients had been admitted so far, including two children. “Four patients remain critical,” she said. “The first arrivals came around 11 a.m., two hours after the stampede. While several had minor injuries and were discharged, the more serious cases are being treated intensively.”

The Mansa Devi Temple Trust has also announced a matching ex-gratia compensation—₹2 lakh for the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. The Trust, along with government authorities, is continuing to support the families of the victims.

President Droupadi Murmu also expressed condolences. In a post on X, she said, “The news of several devotees losing their lives in the stampede near Mansa Devi Temple is extremely tragic. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured.”

This unfortunate event occurred during one of the most spiritually significant months in the Hindu calendar, Shravan, which draws massive crowds to temples across North India. Mansa Devi Temple, perched atop the Bilwa Parvat in Haridwar, is particularly popular, and devotees often wait in long queues to pay their respects to the goddess.

Officials are continuing relief and rescue operations, and the local administration has been directed to maintain order and manage crowd control effectively in the coming days. The magisterial inquiry will look into any lapses in security arrangements, crowd control mechanisms, and preparedness by temple authorities.

The incident has reignited discussions around the need for better infrastructure, planning, and safety protocols during high-footfall religious events in India. Questions are also being raised about whether sufficient crowd management measures were in place, considering the known influx of pilgrims during Shravan.

As the community mourns the tragic loss of life, authorities have promised accountability and preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future. The state government has assured that all possible assistance, including financial aid, medical support, and logistical help, will be extended to those affected.