Srikakulam Stampede: What Led to the Death of 9 Devotees at Kasibugga Temple During Ekadashi?

What began as a sacred Ekadashi morning at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga ended in chaos and grief, as a massive crowd surge turned fatal - leaving nine devotees dead and many injured. The tragic incident unfolded when thousands of devotees thronged the temple premises to offer prayers on the auspicious occasion of Ekadashi, overwhelming the temple's limited capacity.

Temple staff stated that the tragedy occurred as more than 25,000 devotees gathered, far exceeding the temple's capacity of just 2,000 to 3,000 people. The overcrowding near the sanctum sanctorum led to panic, with many devotees falling and being trampled as the crowd pressed forward.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office confirmed that the heavy rush of devotees led to the stampede. In an official statement, the CMO said, "A stampede took place at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, leaving several people injured. The incident occurred as a large crowd gathered at the temple on the occasion of Ekadashi. The heavy rush of devotees led to overcrowding, resulting in a sudden stampede."

Those injured were swiftly moved to nearby hospitals for medical care. State Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu and senior police officials rushed to the site to oversee rescue operations and coordinate relief measures. Additional police forces were deployed to manage the situation and prevent further chaos.

Authorities have launched an investigation into how such a large crowd was permitted without proper safety protocols. Officials are also reviewing crowd control measures at major temples across the state to prevent future tragedies.

The Kasibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple, a revered pilgrimage site, attracts thousands of devotees during Ekadashi and other auspicious days. The incident has sparked widespread mourning, with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and directing officials to ensure immediate medical assistance for the injured.