The Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, a site revered by millions, became the scene of a tragic stampede on Sunday, July 27, 2025, leaving at least six pilgrims dead and dozens injured. The incident, which occurred on the stairway route to the temple, unfolded amidst a massive influx of devotees. Survivor accounts paint a harrowing picture of chaos, panic, and a crowd that quickly spiraled out of control.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden surge of devotees near the temple entrance as the catalyst for the disaster. "There was a pole near the temple where people said they felt an electric current. That's when people started panicking and a stampede followed," recounted Bunty, an eyewitness, to India Today TV. However, police have ruled out electrocution as the direct cause of the incident. Another injured devotee, speaking to ANI, described how the swelling crowd led to panic, with people pushing in all directions. He fell and fractured his hand while trying to escape.
The narrow pathway to the hilltop Mansa Devi Temple, accessible only by foot or ropeway, is known to become severely congested during peak pilgrimage periods. The sheer volume of pilgrims, combined with the limited space, created a dangerous bottleneck. "The tragic incident likely happened due to heavy and uncontrolled crowd,” officials stated. A wall along the path may have also worsened the bottleneck.
Many survivors have described the terrifying moment when the crowd became uncontrollable. "People were pushing and shoving. There was no space to move, and everyone was just trying to stay on their feet," said one survivor, who sustained minor injuries in the melee. Another survivor recounted the desperate cries for help as people were trampled underfoot. "It was every person for themselves. I saw people falling, and there was nothing anyone could do to help them," they said.
Adding to the confusion and panic, rumors of an electric shock further fueled the chaos. "Prima facie, it seems the incident was triggered by a rumour that a power line had snapped," an official stated. While authorities have refuted the electrocution claims, the fear generated by the rumors undoubtedly contributed to the stampede. Ritesh Saha, the city police station in-charge, noted that the route was densely packed when the electric line gave way. "The sight of the wire falling caused immediate panic, and a desperate scramble to escape led to the stampede," Saha said.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, rescue and relief operations were launched immediately. SDRF teams, local police, and other rescue personnel were deployed to the site to assist the injured and manage the situation. Injured pilgrims were rushed to nearby hospitals, with some being referred to AIIMS for more specialized care. According to CMS of GD Hospital RK Singh, a total of 35 injured were admitted to the hospital.
The incident has prompted widespread শোক and concern, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressing their condolences to the families of the deceased. Dhami has assured all possible assistance to the victims and has stated that the situation is being closely monitored. Authorities have also initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the stampede and to prevent similar incidents in the future. Haridwar Police has issued helpline numbers +91 94111 12973 and +91 95206 25934 for those seeking information.
The Mansa Devi Temple stampede serves as a grim reminder of the challenges of managing large crowds at religious gatherings. As investigations continue, questions are being raised about safety measures, crowd control protocols, and the need for better infrastructure to accommodate the ever-increasing number of pilgrims.
