Tragedy Unfolds at Ashok Dham Temple
A devastating stampede occurred at the Ashok Dham temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district, resulting in the loss of at least seven lives and injuring over a dozen devotees. The incident happened on Monday, August 17, 2026, due to an overwhelming rush of worshippers at the temple.
According to eyewitnesses, two trains carrying large groups of devotees, mostly women, arrived at Lakhisarai railway station. The worshippers then rushed to the temple to offer sacred water to Lord Shiva on the third auspicious Monday of the month of Shrawan. The surge in crowds led to a bamboo barricade breaking and an electric pole snapping, triggering the stampede.
Official Response
Lakhisarai District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar, who recently took charge of the district in April 2026, stated that the incident occurred at 6:40 am due to the heavy rush of devotees. He added that district officials were present at the site to control the situation.
The injured devotees have been admitted to the Sadar government hospital for medical assistance. Locals fear that the death toll and number of injured may rise further as more information becomes available.
- The Ashok Dham temple, known for its white dome, is located near Lakhisarai railway station and is a prominent place of worship.
- The third Monday of the month of Shrawan is considered auspicious, attracting large crowds of devotees to the temple.
- District officials are working to provide assistance to the affected families and prevent such incidents in the future.
Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the stampede and to identify measures to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The incident highlights the need for effective crowd management at places of worship, especially during peak festival seasons.
Source: Original Article
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