India’s deadly stampedes: A look at worst religious stampedes tragedies in India’s history

India’s deadly stampedes: A tragic stampede at a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district  on Tuesday,  claimed the lives of at least 121 people including 106 women and seven children and injured many more. 

The incident occurred following the conclusion of a Satsang led by Narayan Sakaar Hari, also known as Sakaar Vishwa Hari or ‘Bhole Baba’.

Multiple theories emerged about the cause of the stampede at the religious event. Meanwhile, Narayan Saakar Hari, also known as ‘Bhole Baba’, the preacher during whose satsang the tragedy took place, is still at large, according to the Uttar Pradesh Police.

While these gatherings are a testament to the nation’s cultural and spiritual vibrancy, but they have sometimes turned tragic and fatal. Here is a list of some of the most devastating religious stampedes in India’s history

A look at deadly religious stampedes in India’s history

Indore Temple Tragedy (2023) : At least 36 people killed after the roof of a stepwell collapsed at a temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore on March 31, 2023 . The stepwell roof at the Beleshwar Mahadev temple could not sustain the weight of a large crowd on Ram Navami. 

Vaishno Devi stampede (2022) : On 1 January 2022, 12 people were killed and 16 others injured in a crowd crush near to Gate No. 3 at the Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir triggered by large commotion of devotees

Godavari Pushkaralu stampede (2015) : On July 14, 2015, a stampede took place during the Godavari Pushkaralu, a festival held once every 12 years killing at least 27 pilgrims killed and 60 other injured at a major bathing spot on the banks of the Godavari river 

Maha Kumbh Mela (2013) : On 10 February 2013, during the Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela, a stampede occurred at the Allahabad railway – the world’s largest religious gathering, when an estimated 30 million people were attending. The rush was triggered by the collapse of a footbridge killing 42 people and injuring at least 45 people

Dussehra Patna stampede (2014) : On October 3, 2014, a stampede took place on the occassion of Dussehra event at Gandhi Maidan where a huge crowd had gathered to witness the event killing 32 people.

Haridwar stampede (2011): On November 8, 2011, at least 20 people were killed and several others injured in a stampede during a religious ceremony attended by tens of thousands of devotees near Har Ki Pauri 

Ram Janki Mandir stampede (2010) : On March 4, 2010, at least 63 people were killed in a stampede at Ram Janki Temple of Kripalu Maharaj in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh district as people gathered to collect free clothes and food from the self-styled godman

Naina Devi temple stampede (2008) : On August 3, 2008 Naina Devi temple stampede took place in Himachal pradesh killing at least 146 people and 150 were injured.  The tragic incident occurred when a during a festival when rumors of a landslide caused panic, leading to a deadly stampede

Jodhpur stampede (2008) : On September 30, 2008, a human stampede unfolded at the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, in which 224 people were killed and more than 425 injured. The stampede was caused by rumours of a bomb