A day meant for prayer and devotion at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kashibugga, Srikakulam district, turned into a nightmare on Saturday. At least nine people, including two children, lost their lives when a massive crowd surge spiraled into chaos.
Investigations now point to a disturbing mix of negligence, poor planning, and disregard for safety norms behind the tragedy, reported News18.
Officials have confirmed that the temple was privately managed and not registered with the state’s endowments department, it reported. This meant that the event, held on the auspicious day of Ekadashi, took place without any government permission or safety clearance. “No approvals were sought for holding the event,” one official has been quoted to say, adding that the district administration had no prior knowledge of the massive gathering.
Eyewitness accounts and initial reports suggest that the stampede erupted in the women’s queue when devotees began jostling for space. Barricades meant to control the movement could not withstand the pressure and collapsed, triggering panic. In the resulting confusion, narrow passageways turned deadly as thousands tried to push their way out. The barricades set up to regulate movement gave way under pressure, according to a witness account, describing scenes of horror as people fell and were trampled.
Adding to the danger was the fact that the temple’s entry and exit points were the same, the report said. This design flaw proved catastrophic. As people tried to flee, others continued to enter, intensifying the crush. Family members who rushed to help those who had fallen were themselves trapped in the stampede.
To make matters worse, the site where devotees had gathered was still under construction. Despite the hazards, temple authorities had allowed visitors into the unfinished premises. The unsafe conditions, combined with the unregulated crowd, created the perfect storm. Normally, the temple—often called “Chinna Tirupati” or “Little Tirupati” -- sees around 10,000 to 15,000 devotees on Saturdays. But this weekend, nearly 25,000 people showed up for Ekadashi prayers, overwhelming the limited space.
Minister Nara Lokesh, overseeing relief efforts, is coordinating immediate assistance and is expected to visit the temple. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a full inquiry and directed that all injured devotees receive proper medical care. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for tighter oversight of privately managed religious institutions to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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