A day after the tragic stampede on the Mansa Devi temple footpath in Haridwar that claimed eight lives—including a 12-year-old boy—and injured 30 others, large crowds of devotees continued to throng the temple. While the ropeway remains operational, most pilgrims are still choosing the footpath route, where police personnel are now deployed at multiple points to manage the situation.
The stampede occurred around 9 AM on Sunday when a sudden panic spread among the crowd climbing the temple stairs. Eyewitnesses claim that the chaos intensified after rumors of an electric current running through the iron railings on the path. One witness, trapped amid the crowd, alleged that some pilgrims experienced electric shock after grabbing onto wired railings for support.
Gayatri, a devotee from Faridabad, said she was nearing the temple when she heard shouts of an electric shock. Panic set in, and people began pushing each other down the stairs. She later regained consciousness at the hospital.
Kuldeep, a pilgrim from Delhi, described the scene as terrifying and unforgettable. He recalled seeing the bodies of at least four victims before losing memory of the incident due to the panic and chaos. Other injured devotees include Gayanti Devi from Chhapra (Bihar), Reena Devi from West Bengal, and Aarti—all of whom are under treatment and reportedly in stable condition.
Despite the tragic event, the spirit of faith remains unshaken. Devotees continue to arrive in large numbers, demonstrating unyielding devotion, while authorities are on high alert to prevent further incidents.
