Summary
- Live electric wire damaged by monkeys caused panic at Avsaaneshwar temple in Barabanki.
- Two people died and over 30 were injured during the stampede amid Shravan rituals.
- Incident follows the Haridwar temple tragedy that killed eight pilgrims just a day earlier.
Shock and Panic at Barabanki Temple
A tragic stampede unfolded at the Avsaaneshwar temple in Barabanki early on July 28, 2025, after a live electric wire, broken by monkeys, fell onto a tin shed. Devotees, who had gathered for the auspicious Shravan month rituals of jalabhishek, panicked as the current spread through the metallic structures. The chaos that ensued left two devotees dead and more than 30 injured, highlighting once again the recurring safety concerns during large-scale religious gatherings in India.
The deceased have been identified as Prashant, 22, from Mubarakpura village. District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi confirmed that all injured victims are being treated at the Trivediganj Community Health Centre, with additional medical teams deployed for emergency response. The incident comes just 24 hours after a similar tragedy at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi temple, where eight lives were lost in a stampede triggered by fear of electric shocks.
Two dead after jumping monkeys trigger stampede at Indian temple https://t.co/q7HwBoIuaJ pic.twitter.com/4ogsf0iH8V
— The Independent (@Independent) July 28, 2025
How the Incident Unfolded
- Monkeys damaged an overhead electric line during the crowded Shravan rituals.
- The wire fell onto the tin sheds, electrifying three sections of the temple complex.
- Panic spread among devotees, leading to a stampede.
Eyewitnesses reported a sudden flash and sparks when the live wire made contact with the tin shed. With hundreds of devotees present for early morning rituals, the temple premises became a scene of chaos. Authorities noted that insufficient crowd management and lack of electrical safety measures worsened the tragedy.
Recurring Temple Safety Concerns
- The Barabanki stampede follows a deadly incident at Haridwar’s Mansa Devi temple.
- Rumours and fear of electric current have triggered panic in past temple tragedies.
- Experts urge structural and electrical audits of temples during high footfall seasons.
The recent string of mishaps in religious spaces underscores a systemic neglect of safety protocols. Both the Haridwar and Barabanki incidents were linked to electric wire failures, prompting authorities to stress the importance of wiring inspections, animal-proofing infrastructure, and better crowd control during festivals like Shravan. Pilgrim safety, experts argue, must be prioritised alongside managing the swelling crowds during religious observances.
Government and Local Response
- Emergency response teams have been deployed to handle medical aid.
- District authorities promise a probe into the wiring and infrastructure lapses.
- Calls for stricter safety audits at major temples during peak seasons.
District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi stated that a detailed investigation will be conducted to fix accountability. The Uttar Pradesh government has also sought a report on the incident and assured financial compensation for the victims’ families.
Lessons from the Tragedy
The Barabanki temple stampede reveals a troubling pattern of preventable disasters at religious sites, often resulting from infrastructural neglect and the absence of effective crowd management. In regions with high pilgrim turnout, proactive safety measures — including barricades, animal deterrents, and emergency evacuation routes — are urgently needed. The incident should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to ensure that such lapses do not recur during upcoming religious events.
