According to police, more than 10 thousand devotees had gathered at the Sri Venkateswara temple to celebrate Ekadashi. When a group of devotees attempted to enter the temple from the exit point, chaos ensued, and the situation quickly transformed into a stampede, leading to deaths and injuries.
Andhra Pradesh temple stampede | Video grab courtesy: X/@YSRCParty
A tragic incident occurred today (Saturday, November 1) at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Kashibugga village in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district. At least 10 people were killed when a stampede broke out during the Ekadashi celebrations on the temple premises.
Around 20 others were injured in the stampede, which happened amid a massive gathering of worshippers that led to chaos and panic at the temple. It was reported that of the 10 dead, nine were women devotees and the tenth victim was a boy. The injured were rushed to the GGH.
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According to police, more than 10 thousand devotees had gathered at the Sri Venkateswara temple to celebrate Ekadashi. When a group of devotees attempted to enter the temple from the exit point, chaos ensued, and the situation quickly transformed into a stampede, leading to deaths and injuries.
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Officials said the railing erected to regulate the flow and movement of devotees collapsed amid the chaos, and a large number of devotees fell, triggering a stampede on the temple premises.
A tragic stampede at Kasibugga Venkateswara Temple in Srikakulam district claimed nine lives and left dozens injured on Ekadashi. Despite prior knowledge of the massive turnout, the TDP-led coalition government and officials failed to arrange proper crowd control, security, or… pic.x.com/2u4Um7FPIT
— YSR Congress Party (@YSRCParty) November 1, 2025
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has expressed shock and grief over the tragic incident. He has instructed authorities and officials to ensure the best medical treatment is provided to the injured.
“The stampede at the Venkateswara Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, has deeply shocked me. The loss of devotees’ lives in this incident is extremely tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I have instructed officials to ensure prompt and proper treatment for the injured,” Naidu said.
State Home Minister V Anitha has spoken to the SP, Srikakulam district, and ordered an inquiry into the incident.
State Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) general secretary Nara Lokesh also expressed his sorrow over the incident. He posted on X: “The stampede at the Kasibugga Venkateswara Temple, which resulted in the death of several devotees, is deeply shocking. There was a great tragedy on the day of Ekadashi. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who died. The government is providing better medical treatment to those injured in the stampede. As soon as I received the information, I spoke to the authorities, the district minister Atchannaidu and the local MLA Gauthu Sirisha. I have ordered immediate assistance to the victims.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed grief over the incident. He posted on X: “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.”
He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.
The Venkateswara temple at Kashibugga is built on 12 acres of land. It was consecrated in May this year only.
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