A sacred procession turned tragic on Sunday when a stampede during the distribution of ceremonial pots resulted in the death of a 70-year-old woman and left six others injured at the Navgrah temple in Dabra town.
The incident occurred during the Kalash Yatra, a religious procession, near the Dabra stadium. According to officials, a large crowd of women had gathered in the morning to participate in the event.
"During the distribution of the Kalash (sacred pots), a scuffle broke out. A 70-year-old woman was crushed in the crowd and died later," said Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan, as reported by PTI.
Echoing the account, Gwalior Range Inspector General of Police Arvind Saxena stated, "During the distribution of the Kalash, many women rushed forward, leading to a stampede-like situation. One woman was crushed to death."
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos, with a large and dense crowd where some pushing and shoving disrupted the planned arrangements, leading to the deadly crush.
The collector confirmed that besides the deceased, six women and a girl were injured in the incident. Three of the injured are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Gwalior, while four others are being treated locally in Dabra.
Despite the morning's tragedy, the administration reported that the Kalash Yatra later proceeded peacefully along its designated route and successfully reached the Navgrah Temple.
Authorities have sought to reassure the public, noting that the situation is now under control. "The situation is now peaceful and proper arrangements are being made," Collector Ruchika Chauhan affirmed.
The incident has cast a shadow over the religious event and raises renewed concerns about crowd management and safety protocols during large-scale gatherings, particularly at popular temples and festivals. An investigation into the exact sequence of events and the adequacy of safety measures is likely to follow.
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