Eyewitnesses described an overwhelming rush of pilgrims, with many jostling to secure ‘darshan’ tokens.
A tragic stampede occurred on January 8, 2025, at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, resulting in at least six fatalities and numerous injuries.
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The incident took place near Vishnu Nivasam during the distribution of ‘darshan’ tokens for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, a sacred event attracting thousands of devotees. Overcrowding and a sudden surge of pilgrims led to the stampede.
Eyewitnesses described an overwhelming rush of pilgrims, with many jostling to secure tokens. Despite the presence of police personnel attempting to control the crowd, the situation escalated rapidly, resulting in chaos and panic.
In response to the tragedy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced a review meeting to investigate the incident. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials have stated that an inquiry will be conducted to determine the causes and to implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
This incident highlights the challenges of managing large crowds during significant religious events in India, underscoring the need for enhanced safety protocols and infrastructure to ensure the well-being of devotees.
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