A devastating stampede at a temple in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, has resulted in the deaths of at least nine devotees, including eight women and one boy, and left several others injured. The tragedy occurred on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Palasa mandal, amid a massive religious gathering.

Cause and Circumstances of the Tragedy

The fatal incident took place when an overwhelming crowd of devotees converged on the temple premises to celebrate Ekadashi, an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar.

• Overcrowding: The temple, a newly constructed private shrine, typically sees about 3,000 visitors, but the special occasion of Ekadashi led to an unprecedented rush, with estimates of the crowd reaching over 10,000 people.

• Infrastructure Failure & Panic: According to police reports, the stampede was triggered by the collapse of an iron railing near the temple steps, which are located on the first floor. This led to panic, causing people to fall from a height of about six feet and be crushed by the surging crowd.

• Poor Management: Authorities highlighted several lapses, including:

  • The temple was a private shrine and was not registered under the state's Endowments Department.

  • The organizers did not seek official approvals for the large gathering.

  • The temple had a single route serving as both the entry and exit point, creating a dangerous bottleneck.

  • The area where pilgrims assembled was reportedly still under construction.

Response and Inquiry

Police and emergency teams rushed to the site to manage the chaos and shift the injured to nearby hospitals.

• Casualties: Initial reports suggested a higher death toll, but the official figure was confirmed as nine, including a 13-year-old boy. Several other devotees sustained injuries, with some remaining in serious condition.

• Official Condolences and Relief: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound grief, calling the incident "extremely heartbreaking," and ordered an official inquiry to determine the lapses and fix accountability.

• Ex-Gratia Announced: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

The temple owner has reportedly been booked on charges related to culpable homicide due to the lack of official permissions and adequate safety measures. The incident has once again brought into sharp focus the need for stricter crowd management and safety protocols at religious gatherings, especially at newly established private temples.