We rarely hear or see any stampede in developed countries.Happens mostly in Asian countries due to in-discipline. Worst stampedes in India: 115 people were killed recently in the stampede at Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh. We look at similar incidents in the past. The worst amongst is: Maha Kumbh , Allahabad (1954) A stampede occurred during the Kumbh Mela, the first after Independence, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, in 1954, which left more than 800 people killed. It was the main bathing day of Mauni Amavasya (New Moon) when the incident took place. What triggered the tragedy was a surge of crowd that broke the barriers to witness a procession of holy men of various akharas. Many drowned, while some were trampled. More than 2,000 people were injured in the incident. Others: Maha Kumbh, Allahabad (2013) A stampede at a railway station in Allahabad killed at least 36 Hindu pilgrims on February 10, 2013, the busiest day of the Kumbh Mela at which some 30 million had gathered to wash away their sins in the sacred Ganges river. Twenty-seven of the dead were women, mostly elderly and poor. An eight-year-old girl was also crushed to death. Bhavnath temple, Junagadh (2012) Six persons were killed, including two children, and many were injured in a stampede during the Mahashivratri fair near Bhavnath temple in Junagadh on February 19, 2012. Heavy traffic jam on Pannchnaka Bridge, the only road to Bhavnath temple at the foothill of Mount Girnar, apparently led to the stampede. Despite the traffic jam, the heavy flow of devotees from both sides continued, leading to the stampede. Hardwar (2011) A stampede at Har-ki-Pauri ghat, close to the Ganges at Hardwar, left 22 people dead. Four lakh devotees had converged on November 8, 2011 to propagate the Gayatri Mantra, a foremost chant in Hinduism. Tragedy occurred when an elderly woman slipped while walking through a barricaded route close to where 1,551 yagyas were on. Once she fell, there was commotion. Fourteen women and two men were killed instantly, with others succumbing to injuries in the hospital. Sabarimala (2011) The stampede at Sabarimala, in Kerala, left 106 pilgrims died and more than 150 injured in Kerala, on January 14, 2011. The cause of the stampede was reportedly a jeep that went out of control and crashed into the crowd. The accident took place beyond the Sabarimala Police protection zone in the hilly area. Ram Janki temple, Pratapgarh (2010) A stampede at Ram Janki temple in Uttar Pradeshs Pratapgarh district, on March 4, 2010, left 63 people killed and 100 injured. The incident occurred in the Mangarh area of Kunda town after the temples main gate collapsed. The crowd had gathered there to attend a ‘bhandara’ of Swami Kripaluji Maharaj. Chamunda Devi temple, Jodhpur (2008) 224 people died and more than 200 were injured in a stampede at Chamunda Devi temple at Jodhpur, Rajasthan on September 30, 2008. The disaster took place at around 6 am, after the temple - built in 1460 as part of the Mehrangarh fort - opened for prayers on the occasion of Navratri festival. More than 10,000 people had rushed to reach the hilltop shrine. Heavy rush of devotees and a tussle to reach the temple doors first reportedly led to the stampede. Police, however, said the stampede was triggered by a collapsing barricade. Naina Devi temple, Bilaspur (2008) Overcrowding, coupled with rumours of rockslides, triggered a stampede at Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradeshs Bilaspur district on August 3, 2008, which left 160 people killed and more than 400 injured. Low visibility in the absence of any exit apparently multiplied the tragedy. Overcrowding and rumours of hillslide in the wake of incessant rains caused the stampede at the revered shrine. Jagannath temple, Puri (2008) Despite police bandobast, a stampede near Jagannath temple in Puri on July 4, 2008, left six pilgrims, including three women, dead and 15 injured during the annual Rath Yatra festival. The devotees were standing in front of Lions Gate when priests accompanying the deity of Goddess Subhadra reportedly pushed them from behind, triggering the stampede. Ashok Nagar, Madhya Pradesh (2008) Eight persons were crushed to death and many were injured in a stampede during the Rang Panchami Mela, a religious fair at Karila in Ashok Nagar district in Madhya Pradesh, on the night of March 27, 2008. Mandhar Devi temple, Satara (2005) More than 350 pilgrims were killed and 200 were injured in a stampede during a pilgrimage to the remote Mandhar Devi temple near Wai in Satara district of Maharashtra on January 25, 2005. A fire broke out in roadside stalls when more than 150,000 people were on an annual pilgrimage to the temple. Scores were crushed to death on the steep and narrow hill path leading to the temple and many others were charred. Stampede started after pilgrims slipped on the temples steep stone steps, which had become wet from coconuts broken as an offering to the local deity, Kalubai. A fire then broke out in shops nearby and gas cylinders exploded. Kumbh Mela, Nashik (2003) During the world famous Kumbh Mela at Nashik on August 27, 2003, 40 pilgrims, including 28 women, were killed and 125 injured when a stampede occurred during the holy bath in the Godavari. Lakhs of devotees had gathered on the banks of the Godavari for the holy bath. Over 30,000 pilgrims were held back by barricades in a narrow street leading to the Ramkund, a holy spot, so sadhus could take the ceremonial dip first. A sadhu reportedly threw some coins into the crowd, and a scramble for the coins led to the stampede.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 07:24:17 +0000
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