A chaotic situation unfolded at the Shri Nagchandreshwar Temple, located on the upper floor of the world-renowned Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, during the early hours of the third Monday of the holy month of Sawan. A stampede-like condition was triggered following rumors of an electric current spreading near the barricaded areas. The incident resulted in injuries to several devotees who had gathered from various parts of the country to seek blessings at the temple, which is situated above the main Mahakal shrine, while the sudden panic led to a rush that left many pilgrims injured and required immediate medical intervention.
The Cause of the Panic and Rumors
According to reports from the site, the panic began near the Harsiddhi Temple intersection where devotees were standing in long queues for the darshan of Lord Nagchandreshwar. A rumor quickly spread among the crowd that electricity had leaked from a Distribution Pillar (DP) located near the barricading. This caused immediate fear and a sudden rush as people tried to move away from the perceived danger, leading to a stampede. The administrative and police personnel stationed at the venue had to intervene quickly to manage the surging crowd and prevent further escalation of the crisis. The rumor of the current near the DP caused a ripple effect through the long lines of devotees.
Details of the Injured Devotees
The stampede left several individuals injured, who were promptly rushed to the Charak Hospital and the Ujjain District Hospital for medical attention, while the victims belong to different regions, highlighting the wide reach of the pilgrimage. Among the injured from Ujjain are Hindu Bai, Sagar, and Laxmibai. Two young women from Gwalior, identified as Sonam and Khushi, also sustained injuries during the commotion. From Ganjbasoda in Madhya Pradesh, a woman named Anusuya and her mother Mamta were among those hospitalized after the incident.
The incident also affected devotees from outside the state. Harishchandra, a resident of Vapi in Gujarat, suffered serious injuries to his legs after colliding with the metal barricades during the rush. Other injured individuals from Gujarat include Tulsi and her mother Rekha Bai, both residents of Valsad. Also, Sujit, a resident of Darbhanga in Bihar, was also injured and is receiving treatment. In total, approximately 13 devotees were taken to the hospital by their relatives and security personnel to address their injuries and health concerns.
Administrative Response and Current Status
The authorities reported that two separate incidents contributed to the day's challenges, while while the rumor of electric current caused a stir at the Neelkanth Dwar, another situation developed near the Harsiddhi Temple barricading area where excessive crowd pressure led to several devotees feeling unwell and fainting. Medical teams at the Ujjain District Hospital are closely monitoring the condition of all 13 admitted patients. Following the initial chaos, the police and administrative staff managed to stabilize the situation. The darshan process, which was briefly interrupted due to the stampede, has been restored and is currently proceeding smoothly under strict supervision to ensure the safety of the thousands of pilgrims still waiting in line.