Crowd Disturbance at Barabanki’s Ausaneshwar Temple Leaves Two Devotees Dead

A spiritual gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki took a tragic turn early Monday morning as crowd movement at the Ausaneshwar Mahadev Temple led to the death of two devotees and injuries to several others. The incident took place during the third Monday of the Sawan month, a high-traffic period when thousands visit Shiva temples for the jalabhishek ritual.

What Happened:

- At around 2:00 am, a live electric wire reportedly fell onto a tin shed inside the temple premises. Local reports suggest the wire may have come loose due to monkeys jumping on overhead cables.

- The unexpected shock led to panic among thousands present, causing an abrupt and intense rush.

Casualties and Response:

- Two devotees, including a 22-year-old from Mubarakpur village, lost their lives while undergoing treatment at the Trivediganj Community Health Center.

- Around 29 others sustained injuries; most were discharged after receiving care, while five remain under observation.

Safety Measures and Official Action:

- Authorities had already deployed police and emergency teams anticipating large turnout, and they acted quickly once the situation unfolded.

- District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi stated the situation is stable and under control.

- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure quality treatment for the injured and carry out 
a thorough inquiry.

This is the second crowd-related temple incident in as many days, following a similar situation at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi Temple, raising concerns over safety protocols during high-volume pilgrimage events.

Sources: India Today, NDTV, Hindustan Times, News18, Bharat Express.