Stampede at ‘mini Tirupati’ temple exposes safety lapses, same entry-exit
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The tragedy at a temple popularly called “Chinna Tirupati” or “mini Tirupati” has exposed safety lapses, including one door for entry and exit.
The temple was built on private land by 80-year-old Harimukunda Panda. It was opened only four months ago. It is inspired by the Tirumala temple, and devotees have been visiting it in large numbers. During Ekadashi, hundreds of devotees arrived. A free bus service for women was also arranged.
Sources said the narrow passage at the temple had handrails on both sides. It had only one common route for entry and exit. That is where the stampede happened.
Officials said the temple management did not alert the local administration about the expected rush on Ekadashi. There was no proper crowd control plan.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that if police had been informed, they could have managed the crowd.
Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said the temple is not under state government management. He explained the numbers that arrived were far beyond capacity. “The capacity of this temple is only up to 2,000 to 3,000 people. Today, being Ekadashi, up to 25,000 people arrived all at once. Arrangements were not made accordingly, nor was information provided to the government. This is the reason for the accident,” he said in a video shared on X by the Andhra Pradesh government’s fact-check department.
Visuals from the temple showed women packed inside the narrow space. Many were seen holding puja baskets and struggling for air. Some relatives were seen trying to revive victims with CPR and rubbing their palms. According to district authorities, the victims include eight women and one child. Two people are seriously injured, and 15 others have minor injuries.
Chandrababu Naidu also reacted on X. He called the loss of lives “heartbreaking”. “The stampede incident at the Venkateswara Temple in Kashibugga in Srikakulam district has caused a shock. The death of devotees in this tragic incident is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I have instructed the officials to provide speedy and proper treatment to those who have been injured,” he said.
He has also directed officials and public representatives to reach the site and supervise relief work.