Mansa Devi Stampede updates: Six pilgrims have lost their lives in Haridwar’s Mansa Devi temple as a huge crowd gathered in the premises on Sunday, June 27. Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey told ANI, “I am leaving for the spot. A detailed report of the incident is awaited.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives and acknowledged that the local officials are managing the situation. A post from the official PMO account on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede on the route to Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected.”
Why did the Mansa Devi Stampede occur?
According to IG Law and Order, Nilesh Bharne, per an Indian Express report, revealed that devotees were moving towards the temple when sudden chaos broke out at 9 AM. “There was some rumour about electricity hazards, creating panic among the devotees, leading to the situation. We are inspecting the causes, and rescue is underway,” Bharne said.
With the rising influx of devotees during the month of sawan, according to the Hindu calendar, the temple was crowded with pilgrims. As per reports, the incident took place on the staircase way to enter the Mansa Devi Temple. An SDRF official shared that claims of a faulty electricity line likely triggered the stampede.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister took to X and posted, “It is extremely distressing to receive news of a stampede on the route to the Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar. SRF Uttarakhand Police, local police, and other rescue teams have reached the site and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am in constant contact with the local administration regarding this matter, and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to Mother Goddess for the safety and well-being of all devotees.”
SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal revealed that 33 people have been rescued in the operation and the injured have been transported to nearby hospitals. “We received information about the stampede at Mansa Devi. Upon reaching the site, around 33 people were rescued, out of which 6 have died. The injured have been admitted to the hospital…”
Haridwar, Uttarakhand: On the sudden stampede at Mansa Devi Temple, SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal says, "We received information about the stampede at Mansa Devi. Upon reaching the site, around 33 people were rescued, out of which 6 have died. The injured have been admitted to the… pic.twitter.com/3lzo3zOpVX
— IANS (@ians_india) July 27, 2025
Former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat told India Today that in the Mansa Devi Temple, “this kind” of stampede is “not possible”. He stated that there are only two ways to reach the temple, either by ropeway or on foot, which is not an easy pilgrimage. He urged serious attention to the matter and questioned the mismanagement that led to the chaos. “It’s a serious matter and requires a deeper probe,” he said.
He noted that there is a larger crowd at the Ghats of Ganga, which is managed more easily. “For me, it is a big shock, I express my sympathy with those who lost their near and dear ones,” he added. “The focus should be on the injured and rescue operations,” said former CM Rawat.