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A day of devotion turned into a devastating tragedy at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kashibugga, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, where a stampede claimed at least nine lives, including two children. Investigations have revealed serious lapses in planning, safety, and crowd management that contributed to the chaos. Private temple Authorities confirmed that the temple was privately managed and not registered under the state’s endowments department. As a result, the event was conducted without the required government permissions or safety clearances. Officials revealed that the organisers failed to inform the state administration about the large gathering planned for Ekadashi, a day that typically draws thousands of devotees. Under-construction zone The area where devotees assembled was still under construction, creating an unsafe environment for the massive crowd. Despite ongoing construction work, the temple continued to permit entry into the premises. According to preliminary reports, no approvals were sought for holding the event, and the district administration was unaware of the scale of the gathering. Overcrowding on Ekadashi and collapsing barricades Saturdays already witness a heavy footfall of around 10,000 to 15,000 devotees at the temple, popularly known as “Chinna Tirupati” or “Little Tirupati.” However, this Saturday being Ekadashi, nearly 25,000 devotees turned up. Witnesses said the stampede began when devotees jostled for space in the women’s queue. The barricades set up to regulate movement gave way under pressure, causing several people to fall. Panic quickly spread, and the narrow passageways turned deadly. One entry, one exit One of the key reasons behind the tragedy was that the entry and exit points were the same. As devotees tried to escape the crush, confusion and congestion worsened. Some family members, attempting to rescue those who had fallen, were caught in the rush themselves. The single access point magnified the panic, making rescue efforts nearly impossible. Minister Nara Lokesh, who oversees RTGS operations, is coordinating the relief measures and will visit the site to supervise immediate assistance. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured and ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident. The tragedy has sparked outrage and calls for stricter regulation of private religious establishments to prevent such avoidable disasters in the future.
