Tirupati Temple Stampede: Six Dead, Dozens Injured During Vaikunta Ekadasi Token Distribution. Modi Responds
Tragic stampede at Tirupati's Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on January 8, 2025, results in six fatalities and over 40 injuries during Vaikunta Ekadasi token distribution
kowshik Reddy
On January 8, 2025, a tragic stampede occurred near the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, resulting in at least six fatalities and numerous injuries. The incident took place during the distribution of tokens for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, a significant 10-day festival attracting thousands of devotees.
Eyewitnesses reported an overwhelming rush of pilgrims as the temple gates opened, leading to chaotic scenes and the subsequent stampede. Despite the presence of police and temple authorities, the sheer volume of devotees made crowd control challenging.
In response to the tragedy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and directed officials to provide immediate assistance to the injured. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has announced plans to review and enhance safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
This incident underscores the critical need for improved crowd management and infrastructure at major religious sites, especially during large-scale festivals. Ensuring the safety of devotees remains a paramount concern for authorities and temple administrations across the country.
