A stampede at the Baba Siddhnath Temple in Makhdumpur, Jehanabad district was catastrophic; at least seven people were killed, and nine others were gravely injured. The event happened on Monday morning with loud singing and dancing during prayers and cultural performances at the temple located at Vanavar Hill in Makhdumpur block. Speaking to reporters, District Magistrate Alankrita Pandey said that the situation has been brought under control, and authorities are remaining vigilant about the consequences of the mishap.
The cause of the tragedy was on the fourth Monday in the month of Sawa n, which is regarded by Hindus as auspicious for spiritual congregations. From the evidence presented in the current case, it has become clear that at the time of the occurrence, the temple compound was congested, and people were crushed, hence causing the stampede. Some of the affected were hurried to hospitals in Makhdumpur and Jehanabad in other districts to seek treatment.
This tragedy also happened barely weeks after another one in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, where more than 120 people lost their lives during a stampede while attending a religious event, a ‘Baba Narayan Hari,’ or ‘Bhole Baba’ fair. In that case, permission had been sought and granted for 80,000 persons, but the turnout was way beyond the allowed capacity.
Safety Concerns and Future Precautions
The tragedy of the stampede that occurred in Baba Siddhnath Temple has sparked rather important issues of concern about safety and, more importantly, the handling of crowds during religious occasions in the region. The circumstances of the stampede remain still somewhat obscure, yet following researchers’ suggestions, the amount of available space was insufficient, and when people crowded, it became a disaster.
As for the public, people are asking authorities to strengthen security and prevent such crowds of people gathering in the future. Events of a religious nature, in most cases, have many followers, and the safety of such activities cannot be overemphasized. Any incident that happens should be a wake-up call to enhance planning and guard against future events
Baba Siddhnath Temple: A Historical and Spiritual Landmark
Baba Siddhnath Temple commonly known as Siddheshwar Nath Temple is among the oldest and most revered temple of Bihar situated in the Jehanabad district. Located upon one of the most elevated terrains of the Barabar Hills, the deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, who is one of the supreme deities of the Hindu religion. The temple, popularly estimated to date back to Gupta-Palguva period of the 7th Century A. D. is historically and archaeologically very significant.
The structural design of the temple is said to be constructed by Bana Raja who is the father in-law of the legendary King Jarasandha of Rajgir. People worship Lord Shiva here and the temple particularly gets crowded during Sawan month.
They contribute to the other worldly ambiance of the temple located in the Barabar Hills . Barabar caves are in a hilly region, 25 KMs south of Jehanabad in Makhdumpur. These early rock-cut Buddhist chamber halls are of 3rd century A. D. and are assigned to the Ajivikas who were the pre Buddhist and pre Jain cult. It is accepted that Barabar Caves are the oldest surviving edifices of the rock-cut architecture in India and are therefore, architectural and religious monuments.
Available information about stampede at Baba Siddhnath Temple is actually heart rendering which is in effect underlining the fact that there is always a potential for serious disaster if there is huge congregation anywhere including place of worship. As the enquiry proceeds and the victims are being healed, society is forced to focus on the task of making sure such disaster is not repeated. Temples, worship, culture and history will always pull a crowd; however, more measures and far improved coordination should be expected for any subsequent events of this type.
News Source: Hindustan Times, with contributions from ANI
