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Showing posts from August 4, 2008


Naina Devi Temple Tragedy – one more addition to the long list of Temple Stampedes

In a temple tragedy on Sunday at the famous Naina Devi temple in Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh more than 145 pilgrims have died in a stampede triggered by rumors of a landslide. Himachal Pradesh officials confirm that at least 145 devotees have died, majority of those dead were children and women. Many more have been injured in the incident. In spite of heavy rains, an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 pilgrims had gathered at the popular Naina Devi Temple on Punjab – Himachal Pradesh border to offer prayers on the occasion of Sawan Navratri, a nine-day religious festival involving fasting dedicated to Goddess Durga. Shravan month (July – August) is considered highly auspicious throughout North India and millions of Hindus visit various Hindu shrines. Temples in India have witnessed numerous stampedes, the very latest during Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra, when 8 were killed, and most worst in recent history in 2005, about 265 pilgrims were killed at a stampede near Wai T