On the third Monday of the sacred Sawan month, a devastating incident unfolded at the revered Ausaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, transforming a place of worship into a scene of tragedy. A sudden electrical mishap triggered panic among devotees, leading to a stampede-like situation that claimed two lives and left several others injured.
According to officials, the chaos erupted when a monkey dislodged an electric wire, causing it to fall onto a tin shed within the temple premises. The live wire sent an electric current through the structure, sparking fear among the gathered devotees who had come to perform the ‘jalabhishek’ ritual, a traditional offering of water to Lord Shiva. The ensuing panic caused a rush as worshippers fled, resulting in the fatal stampede.
District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi, explained that the devotees were engaged in prayers when the incident occurred. The fallen wire electrified the tin shed, leading to the tragic outcome. Emergency services swiftly responded, with the injured being rushed to nearby medical facilities, including the Trivediganj Community Health Centre. Some of the critically injured were transferred to advanced medical centers for further treatment.
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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences and directed the district administration to ensure prompt medical care for the victims and to expedite relief efforts. Authorities have since secured the area, and an investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the electrical fault.
This incident follows closely on the heels of a similar tragedy at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi Temple, highlighting ongoing safety concerns at religious sites during peak pilgrimage periods.
