Haridwar Stampede Tragedy: Death Toll Climbs to 8, Mansa Devi Temple Resumes Darshan

In a tragic incident on Sunday morning, a stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar claimed the lives of eight devotees, while 30 others sustained injuries, according to the District Administration. The stampede occurred around 9 a.m. as an overwhelming crowd of pilgrims moved towards the hilltop shrine, one of the most revered temples in Uttarakhand.

What Happened at the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar?

The stampede at Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar unfolded when a large gathering of devotees converged on the ancient footpath route leading from Har Ki Pauri. Eyewitnesses and survivors reported that just a few steps away from the temple premises, the crowd surged uncontrollably, leading to multiple people falling and getting trampled.

One injured pilgrim told ANI, “Just 20-25 steps before the temple premises, the crowd became uncontrollable. I fell along with 10 to 12 others… I found 3 of my family members, but two are still missing.”

Rescue Efforts and Official Response

Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire Services rushed to the scene and carried out prompt rescue and evacuation operations. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals, where they are receiving medical care.

Mahant Ravindra Puri, President of the Mansa Devi Temple Trust, confirmed that the incident was not due to electrocution, as some rumors suggested. He stated, “There are three ways to reach the temple — a ropeway, a vehicular route, and the traditional pedestrian path. The crowd management failed on the ancient footpath. We are coordinating with the administration and will fully support the families of the deceased and injured.”

Temple Reopens for Devotees

Despite the tragedy, the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar reopened for Darshan later in the day, with security and crowd control measures enhanced. Authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the Haridwar temple stampede to determine the cause and assess lapses in crowd management.