Srikakulam – November 2, 2025
A day of devotion turned into a devastating tragedy on Saturday at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, where a stampede claimed the lives of at least nine devotees, including eight women and a 13-year-old boy. More than 25 others sustained injuries, with some remaining in critical condition. The incident, which unfolded amid a massive rush of pilgrims celebrating the auspicious occasion of Karthika Ekadashi, has exposed glaring lapses in crowd management and regulatory oversight at the newly-inaugurated private shrine.
The fatal crush occurred on the first floor of the temple, often referred to as ‘Chinna Tirupati’ in the region. According to police and eyewitnesses, the tragedy was triggered when a railing along the narrow staircase collapsed under the immense pressure of the surging crowd. The sudden structural failure caused people to fall, creating a wave of panic that led to a brutal crush as thousands jostled for safety.
Overwhelming Rush and Fatal Lapses
The Venkateswara Swamy temple, built by 94-year-old Hari Mukund Panda and opened just four months ago, was designed to accommodate a fraction of the crowd that arrived on Saturday. While the temple typically sees around 3,000 visitors on a regular Saturday, the convergence of the holy Karthika Ekadashi festival led to an unprecedented and unmanaged influx of an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 devotees.
A critical finding in the immediate aftermath points to a complete lack of crowd-control planning and official coordination. The shrine is a privately managed entity and is not registered under the state’s Endowments Department, meaning it did not fall under governmental regulatory oversight.
District police chief K. V. Maheswara Reddy confirmed that temple authorities had failed to inform the police or district administration in advance about the large-scale festival and the likely crowd size. This lapse meant no adequate police bandobast (security arrangement), barricading, or emergency measures were in place to manage the surge. Adding to the chaos, reports indicate that a single gate was being used for both entry and exit, creating a dangerous bottleneck at the very spot where the railing ultimately gave way.
Political Reactions and Government Action
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound grief over the incident, calling the deaths “extremely heartbreaking.” He was quick to point the finger at the organizers, stating, “Had police been informed in advance, they could have implemented a crowd management plan. Those responsible will face action.” The Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry and instructed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.
Former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, however, criticized the government’s response, arguing that the tragedy reflected the administration’s “utter negligence” in ensuring public safety despite similar incidents in the past. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the loss of lives, announcing an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Inquiry and Call for Accountability
Police have registered a case, including charges under section 100 (culpable homicide) of the BNS, and have detained four temple staff members for questioning. The owner of the temple, Hari Mukund Panda, was quoted defending the event as an “act of God,” a statement that has drawn widespread criticism from bereaved families and political figures demanding accountability.
The Kasibugga disaster is tragically the third major temple-related tragedy in Andhra Pradesh this year, following stampedes or accidents at Tirupati and Visakhapatnam, underscoring a persistent failure in crowd safety measures at places of worship across the state. As the state mourns, the focus remains on providing relief to the victims’ families and a thorough, swift inquiry to establish accountability and prevent future calamities.