Barabanki temple stampede in UP: 2 dead in Sawan Somwar rush after monkey breaks electric wire

Barabanki DM Shashank Tripathi

Tragedy struck at the ancient Awsaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki on Monday morning, when a stampede-like situation during Sawan Somwar darshan led to the death of at least two devotees.

Prashant (22) from the Mubarakpura village under the Lonikatra police station area and another 30-year-old devotee succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the Trivediganj Community Health Centre (CHC), officials said.

This comes a day after eight people were killed in a stampede that broke out during a rush of pilgrims along a stair route leading to the Mansa Devi temple on a hilltop in Haridwar. Rumours of an electric current where the stairs begin triggered panic among people, leading to the stampede, according to the police.

A total of 10 injured persons were brought to Trivediganj CHC, of whom five were referred to higher medical centres due to their critical condition.

Meanwhile, 26 injured devotees are being treated at the Haidergarh CHC, and one of them has been referred for advanced care due to serious injuries.

DM Shashank Tripathi told media, "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."

Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh: A stampede occurred during Jalabhishek at the Awsaneshwar Mahadev Temple after an electric current spread through the premises

DM Shashank Tripathi says, "Devotees had gathered here for darshan on the third Monday of Sawan. Some monkeys jumped onto the… pic.twitter.com/AzLnRnFQKx — IANS (@ians_india) July 28, 2025

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed "deep sorrow" over the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

"He has directed the district administration officials to expedite the proper treatment of the injured and relief operations," Adityanath's office posted on X in Hindi.

"He has prayed to Lord Mahadev, the supreme deity, to grant salvation to the departed souls and a speedy recovery to the injured," it added.