Devotees hurt in stampede-like rush at Ujjain temple

Several devotees were injured in a stampede-like situation near the Mahakaleshwar Temple complex in Ujjain on Monday, as a massive crowd gathered for Nag Panchami and Sawan Somvar. Panic reportedly began near Harsiddhi Chauraha after a rumour about an electric current in barricades. Witnesses said barricades collapsed and a tent fell, trapping people. The injured were taken to Charak Hospital.

However, the temple administration and district officials denied that any stampede or chaos had occurred inside the temple. Mahakal Temple administrator Pratham Kaushik called reports misleading, saying darshan was continuing smoothly. Ujjain Collector Raushan Singh also appealed to the public not to be carried away by rumours.

The Nagchandreshwar Temple, which opens only once a year on Nag Panchami, had drawn over six lakh devotees by noon. The incident happened amid one of the year's biggest religious gatherings in Ujjain.