VIJAYAWADA: At least ten devotees were killed and several others injured in a tragic stampede at the Venkateswara Swami Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, on Saturday. The incident occurred during Ekadashi, one of the most sacred days in the Hindu calendar, when thousands of worshippers gather to offer prayers and observe fasts dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Stampede during Ekadashi celebrations
According to police reports, the tragedy unfolded as the crowd swelled beyond control near the temple premises. Devotees had gathered in large numbers since early morning, and chaos erupted when many rushed forward simultaneously.
“Several people collapsed as devotees surged ahead at once,” said a police official at the scene. The injured were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities have warned that the death toll may rise, as some victims were found unconscious and remain in critical condition.
Government orders inquiry
In a statement, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed the incident and announced an official inquiry.
“A stampede took place at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, leaving several people injured. The incident occurred as a large crowd gathered at the temple on the occasion of Ekadashi. The heavy rush of devotees led to overcrowding, resulting in a sudden stampede,” the CMO said.
Police and district authorities rushed to the site soon after the tragedy. State Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu reached the temple to take stock of the situation and coordinate relief efforts. Additional police forces were deployed to manage the crowd and assist in rescue operations.
Chief Minister expresses grief
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. Calling the incident “extremely heartbreaking,” he extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured that all injured persons would receive speedy medical treatment.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Naidu said:
“The stampede incident at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga in Srikakulam district has caused a shock. The death of devotees in this tragic incident is extremely heartbreaking. I have instructed officials to provide proper and immediate medical care to the injured.”
Crowd control concerns resurface
This tragedy comes just months after a similar incident at Tirupati, where six devotees died in a stampede in January 2025 during the Vaikunthadwara Sarvadarshan at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The earlier incident, too, was attributed to inadequate crowd management and overcrowding at token distribution centres.
Officials and safety experts have renewed calls for improved crowd management protocols, especially during major religious events that attract large gatherings across Andhra Pradesh.
Conclusion
As investigations continue, the Kasibugga stampede stands as a grim reminder of the urgent need for better crowd control, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure upgrades at major pilgrimage sites. The state government has assured that measures will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.