10 Dead in Stampede at Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh

• By Thetripurapost Desk, Srikakulam (Andhra Pradesh)
• Nov 01, 2025
• 37

Terrifying screams and chaos filled the air at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, on Saturday, as a massive stampede claimed at least ten lives and left several devotees injured. The injured were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals.

The tragedy struck around 11:30 a.m., when thousands of devotees thronged the temple on the occasion of Ekadashi, one of Hinduism’s most sacred days dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Overcrowding amid the heavy rush reportedly triggered the deadly stampede, according to Kasibugga sub-division in-charge DSP Lakshman Rao.

A statement from the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed that the incident was caused by an overwhelming crowd gathered for Ekadashi rituals. “The heavy rush of devotees led to overcrowding, resulting in a sudden stampede,” the CMO said, as quoted by India Today.

According to temple officials, the Venkateswara Temple usually attracts 10,000–15,000 devotees on Saturdays, but on this Ekadashi, the number swelled to nearly 25,000 visitors, The Indian Express reported.

Additional police forces have been deployed to control the situation and assist rescue operations.

Following the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 to those injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

“Pained by the stampede in Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover soon,” the Prime Minister said.

 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his grief, offering condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.