Barabanki, July 28, 2025 – A tragic incident unfolded early this morning at the historic Avasaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki’s Haidergarh area, Uttar Pradesh, where a stampede triggered by an electric shock claimed two lives and injured around 29 to 40 devotees. The chaos erupted during the third Monday of Sawan, a holy period that draws thousands to the temple for Jalabhishek rituals. Authorities are now investigating the incident, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed condolences, directing immediate relief efforts. Here’s a detailed look at the incident, its causes, and ongoing response measures.
What Happened at Avasaneshwar Mahadev Temple?
The incident occurred around 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM on July 28, during the peak of Sawan’s third Monday celebrations. The temple, located 40 km from Barabanki’s district headquarters, was packed with devotees performing Jalabhishek. According to eyewitnesses and officials, a group of monkeys jumped on overhead electric wires, causing one to snap and fall onto a tin shed in the temple complex. This triggered a surge of electric current through the shed and nearby metal structures, sparking panic. The sudden shock led to a stampede as devotees scrambled to safety, resulting in two deaths and multiple injuries. One victim has been identified as 22-year-old Prashant from Mubarakpura village under Loni Katra police station; the second victim’s identity is still being confirmed.
Casualties and Medical Response
The stampede left a devastating toll, with two devotees losing their lives and an estimated 29 to 40 others injured, including women and children. Injuries ranged from minor to severe, with some devotees suffering from electric shocks and others from being trampled in the chaos. Emergency services acted swiftly, with ambulances rushing the injured to Haidergarh and Trivediganj Community Health Centers (CHCs). At least five critically injured individuals were transferred to Barabanki District Hospital for advanced treatment. District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi and Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya were on-site to oversee rescue operations, ensuring all victims received immediate care. The temple premises have since been secured, and normal worship has resumed.
Official Response and Chief Minister’s Directives
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took swift notice of the tragedy, expressing deep condolences to the families of the deceased. He announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for the kin of each victim and directed the district administration to ensure proper treatment for the injured. The CM also instructed officials to expedite relief efforts and investigate the incident’s cause to prevent future mishaps. District authorities, including the DM and SP, have been stationed at the temple to manage the situation and maintain order. A heavy police presence was deployed to calm the crowd and assist with rescue operations, ensuring the temple premises returned to normalcy.
Cause of the Incident and Safety Concerns
Preliminary investigations point to a freak accident involving monkeys dislodging an electric wire, which fell onto the temple’s tin shed, causing the current to spread through metal structures. The heavy crowd, typical for Sawan’s Monday rituals, amplified the chaos as devotees fled in panic. This incident follows a similar tragedy at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi Temple, where a stampede killed six people the previous day, raising concerns about crowd management and safety at religious sites during peak festivals. Local residents have called for better electrical safety measures, such as insulated wiring and regular maintenance, to avoid such accidents in the future. Authorities are now reviewing safety protocols at the temple.
