Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh: What began as a sacred morning of devotion turned into chaos and heartbreak when a massive crowd surge at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga led to a deadly stampede on Saturday, November 1, 2025. At least nine to ten people lost their lives, and dozens were injured as panic erupted among more than 15,000 devotees gathered at the temple for the auspicious Ekadashi celebrations.
According to eyewitnesses, the tragedy unfolded around 11:30 a.m. when worshippers, waiting since early morning, rushed forward as the temple gates opened. With only one narrow entry and exit point, the sudden surge caused a steel barricade to collapse, trapping people in a deadly crush. Many of the victims were women and elderly devotees who had come from nearby villages to offer prayers.
Investigations have revealed glaring safety lapses and overcrowding risks. The temple, which is privately managed and not under the state’s Endowments Department, reportedly did not have official clearance for hosting such a large gathering. Moreover, ongoing construction work and the lack of a separate exit route created a dangerous bottleneck — turning the holy site into a disaster zone within minutes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, announcing an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the families of those killed and ₹50,000 for the injured. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called the incident “extremely heartbreaking” and has ordered a high-level inquiry into the lapses that led to the stampede.
The disaster has once again raised questions about crowd management and safety measures at religious gatherings across India. Despite repeated tragedies of this kind in the past, experts say many temples and event organisers still lack proper infrastructure, crowd control systems, and emergency response plans.
What was meant to be a day of devotion and celebration has left a community in mourning — a painful reminder that faith and safety must go hand in hand.
