Bhadrapad Shuklapaksha 2,Kaliyug Varsha 5116
A woman injured in the stampede
BHOPAL (Madhya Pradesh) : Ten people were killed and many injured in a stampede at a temple in Kamadgiri hill in Chitrakoot – which falls in the Northern Vindhya Range spread over states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Six women devotees who were on 'Shayana Pradakshinam' (rolling on the ground around the shrine) were among those dead while about 60 others were injured.
Rope barriers put up to regulate thousands of pilgrims at Kamadgiri hill also gave way during the panic run.
Stampede took place between Hanuman Temple and Bharat Milap Temple located on the back side of the hill at 5.30 am on Monday, that happened to be Somwati Amawasya as per Hindu calendar, said police. As per mythology, this temple marks the spot where Bharat, brother of Rama, is said to have tried to convince Rama to return to Ayodhya, to be the king.
Initial information suggests one of the pilgrims accidentally touched a woman devotee, who was undertaking a Shayana Pradakshinam and as he bent forward to tender an apology, the person behind him fell down. This led to commotion and eventually the stampede. It is believed anyone who touches devotees he or she should tender an immediate apology.
Reports said Usha, a resident of Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh performing 'Parikrama' died on the spot in the stampede.
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a compensation of Rs two lakh for the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured and Rs 10,000 to those who suffered minor injuries.
Several theories surfaced about the cause of stampede with one stating the commotion was triggered by a live electricity wire which snapped and fell on three pilgrims.
Satna district collector M L Meena has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the stampede.
"We got information within minutes of the incident. Teams were dispatched immediately," Pawan Srivastava, inspector general of police (IGP) Rewa sone told TOI.
Stampede occurred during Shayana Pradakshinam, he said. "In this pose, the devotees, especially women circumambulate on the parikrama path. Relatives and friends of the devotees help them to roll around. Women who were rolling were run over by the panicked mob, killing five of them on the spot. Most of the deceased were from UP.
State spokesperson Narrottam Mishra said government hospitals across Satna and Rewa districts have been put on high alert. "Inquiry has already been ordered. Our priority is to take care of those who are injured and provide them the best treatment," said Mishra, also a minister for health and legislative affairs.
Kamadgiri hill is a place believed to have been the abode of Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman during their exile. Lord Kamtanath, another of his names, is the Ishta Deva (principal deity) not only of Kamadgiri hill but of Chitrakoot, it's believed.
Hundreds of pilgrims were present at the pilgrimage path around this hill which is about 5 Km long. There are a large number of temples in the parikrama path. One of the major temples here is the Shree Kamatanath Temple.
Source : Sarve Samachar
