Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:02pm on 01 Nov 2025,Saturday Spiritual
At least nine devotees died in a stampede Saturday at the privately-run Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga, Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district, during Ekadashi celebrations. Nearly 25,000 devotees arrived at the temple with capacity for only 2,000-3,000, without prior coordination with authorities. The stampede occurred when crowds surged as gates opened, causing a railing to collapse near steps on the elevated first-floor temple. With only one entry-exit point, devotees fell from six feet height, toppling onto others. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha noted the combination of Ekadasi and Karthika Masam on Saturday caused unusually large turnout. The government emphasized the temple wasn't under Endowments Department management. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu ordered relief measures and proper medical care.
