New Delhi, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday expressed deep grief over the stampede at Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai that left seven devotees dead and more than 12 injured.
Describing the incident as “extremely tragic and heart-wrenching”, Choudhary offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and directed the administration to ensure prompt and proper treatment of the injured.
Taking to X, the Chief Minister said, “The incident at Ashok Dham in Lakhisarai is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching.”
“The news of the deaths of devotees in the accident has left my heart deeply distressed. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families,” he said.
Choudhary added that necessary instructions had been issued to the administration for the speedy treatment of those injured.
“May God grant peace to the departed souls and a swift recovery to the injured,” he said.
JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha also expressed grief over the tragedy, saying he was “devastated” by the loss of lives during the Sawan Monday pilgrimage.
“On the occasion of Sawan Monday, my heart is heavy with grief upon hearing the news of several devotees losing their lives in a stampede at Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai this morning,” Jha said.
He extended condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength for them and a speedy recovery for the injured.
The stampede occurred outside the temple as thousands of devotees gathered on the third Monday of the holy month of Sawan to offer prayers and perform Jalabhishek.
According to preliminary information, an electric wire reportedly fell, triggering panic among the devotees. Rumours spread through the crowd, prompting people to rush in different directions and resulting in a stampede.
Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said an unprecedented surge in the number of devotees, compounded by the arrival of two trains around 6.30-6.45 a.m., led to the collapse of a barricade outside the temple.
Police and administrative officials reached the spot soon after the incident and launched rescue operations. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment, while officials continued to oversee crowd management and relief efforts.
The Ashok Dham Temple, also known as Shri Indradamaneshwar Mahadev Temple, attracts large numbers of devotees during Sawan.
FOLLOW NOW
