6 killed, several injured in stampede-like incident at Bihar's Ashokdham Temple

The incident occurred during a large gathering of devotees amid the ongoing Sawan season. At least six people were killed and several others injured in a stampede-like incident at Ashokdham Temple in Bihar's Lakhisarai on Monday, police told news agency ANI.The incident took place at the temple as devotees gathered there. (PTI/Representative)Lakhisarai SDPO Shivam Kumar confirmed the deaths and said several people were injured in the incident. Lakhisarai DM Shailendra Kumar told ANI that the crowd at Ashok Dham Temple swelled “in an unprecedented manner”. Two trains arrived around 6:30-6:45 am which added to the rush.What caused the stampede?He said arrangements had been made in anticipation of the large gathering, but barricading on one side eventually broke under the pressure of the crowd, causing people to fall on one another.“We then came to know that barricading broke on one side due to the crowd and people fell on each other. We rushed 10-15 people here immediately,” Kumar said.Ashokdham, also known as Indradamneshwar Mahadev Temple, is a prominent Lord Shiva shrine in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district. The temple complex has the main Indradamneshwar Mahadev shrine at its centre, along with temples dedicated to Goddess Parvati, Nandi and Goddess Durga. The temple is particularly crowded during Sawan and Shivratri, when large numbers of devotees visit to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.This is a developing story.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read MoreBiharIncidentStampedeGet the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather major national developments and Karnataka Bandh LIVE.