Chaos erupts at the Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao, Goa, resulting in six fatalities and injuries to over 30 individuals during a stampede.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Goa is grappling with the aftermath of a stampede at the Lairai Devi temple during the annual Shirgao festival.
Early Saturday morning, at least seven lives were tragically snuffed out, and over 30 individuals sustained injuries in this tragic incident. The death toll and number of those hurt may vary slightly in reports, with conflicting statistics arising (ranging from 7–7 deaths and 30–50 injured).
Family tragedies such as the deaths of Aditya Kavthankar (17) and Tanuja Kauthankar are making headlines. This unfortunate family lost two members in the stampede.
The chaos unfolded during the Shri Lairai Zatra, an annual religious celebration at Lairai Devi Temple that showcases a traditional fire-walking ritual, a key attraction that typically draws thousands of devotees every year.
In the wake of the tragedy, authorities have initiated an investigation to pinpoint the exact cause of the stampede, whether due to crowd mismanagement, structural factors, or other factors.
At the moment, the findings have not been released, but it's apparent that an incredible number of people attended the festival. Injured individuals were immediately rushed to the North Goa District Hospital, where the Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, made an appearance to offer his support and oversee relief measures personally.
Empathizing with the tragic incident, Sawant took to social media, sharing his condolences and offering his full support to the grieving families and affected individuals. He has vowed that every necessary step will be taken to ensure that proper medical assistance is provided during these challenging times. A call from the Prime Minister, Shri Narendramodi, added words of encouragement and expressed solidarity with the state during this difficult time.
The temple houses a unique blend of northern and southern architectural styles and serves as the central hub for the Shirgao Jatra, which occurs every May. Villagers from neighboring areas participate in religious rituals and offerings dedicated to Goddess Lairai throughout the day, per the Goa Tourism website.
As the Lairai Jatra reaches its climax, devotees participate in spirited circular dances inside the temple, complemented by clashing sticks and drum beats. In the early hours of the morning, after the fire has died down, the dramatic ritual of barefoot passage across hot embers takes place. Devotees run across the burning embers, chanting the name of Devi Lairai, often performing this act multiple times. The festival concludes with the sunrise, marking an end to this centuries-old tradition.
- Despite the tragedy in Goa, the Lairai Devi Temple and its annual Shirgao festival are recognized for their unique blend of Indian architecture and traditional rituals, attracting devotees from surrounding areas.
- The devastating stampede that occurred at the Lairai Zatra in Goa was not only a health concern but also a sad event for the cricket-loving nation, as citizens were saddened to hear about the losses in general-news and crime-and-justice categories.
- The mishap at the Lairai Zatra in Goa has raised questions about crowd management given the large gatherings during religious festivals, thus shedding light on the need for improved public safety measures in such events.
- The shocking incident in Goa has resulted in the loss of more lives than a cricketing match, causing sorrow not just among the people of Goa but across the entire country.
- In response to the unfortunate tragedy that took place in Maharashtra's neighboring state of Goa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sympathies and solidarity, expressing his support for the affected individuals and their families.
