Stampede at UP Temple After Electric Shock Kills 2, Injures Several During Sawan Jalabhishek

New Delhi (India) July 28: At least two individuals lost their lives in a stampede outside the Awsaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. The incident takes place early on Monday morning. 

Electric Wire Falls on Tin Shed

Several people received electric shocks after an electric wire falls on a tin shed. On the third Monday in the month of Sawan, a huge number of devotees had assembled for darshan.

The Lonikatra police station identifies one of the deceased as Prashant. He is a 22-year-old resident of Mubarakpura village. The identity of the other individual is yet unknown. Both passed away while receiving care at the Trivediganj Community Health Centre.

According to sources, ten injured patients were taken to the Trivediganj CHC. Five of them suffer from severe injuries. They were then sent to the district hospital.

According to District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi, an old electric cable that had been damaged by monkeys was the cause of the current.

He said, "Devotees had gathered here for darshan on the third Monday of Sawan. Some monkeys jumped onto the overhead electric wires, causing them to fall onto the tin shed. As a result, around 19 people received electric shocks. The situation is otherwise under control."

CM Yogi Announces ₹5 Lakh Relief

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath acknowledges the incident. He sends his condolences to the surviving family members. The UP CM also gives the officials instructions to ensure that injured people receive the right medical attention. He also offers relief right away.

The Chief Minister’s office says, "UP CM Yogi Adityanath announces an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakhs for the bereaved families."

Devotees gather for 'Jalabhishek' on Sunday evening at the Awsaneshwar Mahadev temple in Barabanki. This practice involves offering water to deities, especially Lord Shiva, as a form of worship. It is done during Sawan, particularly on Mondays.

On the third Monday of Sawan, a large number of devotees arrived to take part in the ceremony. The Jalabhishek began at midnight. A stampede broke out at approximately two in the morning when rumours of electric shock spread.

Cause Linked to Monkey on Power Line

A monkey jumped onto an overhead electrical wire. It caused it to break and fall into the tin shed that part of the temple grounds were covered by. The devotees got restless and terrified after the live wire's quick electric current spread through the metal shed.

At the time of the event, police officers were already at the temple. An inquiry is in progress.

In the last two days, there have been two such incidents. A stampede took place at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar on Sunday. It killed eight people and injured thirty more. This happens after reports of an electric current near the stairway entrance spread.

But within two hours, things were back to normal. At the temple, devotees went back to performing their jalabhishek rites. The police and temple administration were closely monitoring the impatiently awaiting crowd.

The accident also calls for attention to temple management and the security of the thousands of devotees who came to the temple during Sawan. 

Aadrika Tayal