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A peaceful religious gathering turned into a nightmare on Saturday when a massive crowd at the newly built Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Andhra Pradesh, led to a tragic stampede that claimed nine lives and left more than twenty people injured.
The temple, located in the Palasa region of Srikakulam district, had been constructed recently by 94-year-old Hari Mukund Panda, a devoted man from Odisha who dreamed of creating a sacred space for worshippers. The tragedy struck during the auspicious occasion of Karthika Ekadashi, when thousands of devotees gathered to seek blessings at the temple.
Eyewitnesses said that the situation spiraled out of control when a section of a railing near a staircase gave way under the immense pressure of the crowd. Within moments, panic spread, and people were pushed and crushed in the chaos. Among the victims were eight women and a young boy, whose families are now mourning an unimaginable loss.
Rescue teams and local authorities rushed to the scene to control the situation and move the injured to nearby hospitals. Many of the wounded are still receiving treatment, while several have already been discharged after medical care. The state government has announced financial assistance for the families of the deceased and for those injured in the stampede.
Speaking to reporters, temple builder Hari Mukund Panda, visibly shaken by the tragedy, described the incident as an “Act of God”, saying that no individual should be held responsible. “I only wanted to serve Lord Venkateswara and the people. I never imagined such a crowd would gather,” he said, expressing deep sorrow over the lives lost.
Officials investigating the incident have revealed that the temple was not officially registered with the state’s endowment department and had no prior permission to host large-scale events. The structure reportedly had a single entry and exit point, which worsened the situation as thousands tried to enter and leave simultaneously.
Government representatives and district officials visited the site soon after the incident to oversee rescue efforts and express condolences to the affected families. The administration has also promised to review safety measures for religious gatherings, particularly in privately constructed temples that often lack proper crowd-control infrastructure.
As the community mourns, questions are being raised about the need for stricter regulation and supervision of public religious events. What began as a day of devotion and celebration turned into a heart-wrenching tragedy, leaving behind grief, unanswered questions, and a renewed reminder of the importance of safety in places of worship.
For many, the temple that was meant to symbolize faith and peace now stands as a painful reminder of how quickly joy can turn to sorrow. The atmosphere in Kasibugga remains heavy with emotion as families continue to light candles and offer prayers for those who lost their lives in what many are calling a “festival gone wrong.”
