A devastating stampede unfolded near the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, one of India’s most revered and affluent sanctuaries, claiming six lives and leaving 35 others injured.
The calamity occurred as throngs of ardent devotees amassed to procure complimentary entry passes to the temple, located in Andhra Pradesh, authorities revealed on Thursday.
The auspicious window from Friday through January 19 attracts a surge of worshippers eager to pay homage to the deity at the nearly two-millennia-old temple, colloquially called Tirupati. On Wednesday evening, however, the fervor took a tragic turn.
“The stampede ensued the moment the gates swung open,” stated S. Venkateswar, the district’s chief administrative officer. “Around 2,500 individuals surged forward en masse. some stumbled and were trampled.”
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances that led to the tumultuous situation. Typically, temple visit tickets cost 300 rupees ($3.50) and are accessible online. However, the distribution of free passes at physical counters appeared to have ignited the pandemonium.
The incident occurred between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. near a school that is a few kilometers from the temple. State officials had established these counters to commence ticket distribution on Thursday.
Footage broadcasted by ANI, a news agency partly owned by Reuters, depicts police grappling to control the restive crowd. The video shows agitated devotees jostling and shoving in their desperate quest for passes—a struggle that culminated in the fatal stampede.
Venkateswar disclosed that over a dozen of the 35 hospitalized victims are still under medical care. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam is the temple’s administrative authority. I expressed my heartfelt sadness for this incident. and promised to hold those wrongfully accused accountable. Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his condolences on Twitter, X “Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. May the injured recover swiftly.”
This sorrowful episode underscores the need for meticulous crowd management during large-scale events at sacred sites that draw vast congregations of the faithful.
Also Read: Nikhil Kamath’s Podcast Teaser Goes Viral, Hints at PM Modi as Next Guest
