Key Highlights
- Fatal Incident: Rati Sahu, a resident of Hanuman Colony, died during the crush, while at least two others remain in critical condition.
- Crowd Surge: The stampede was triggered by the sudden opening of a field gate where thousands of women had been waiting since early morning.
- Administrative Failure: Devotees and local residents have criticized the lack of adequate police presence and barricading for such a high-profile event.
- Organizer Response: Former Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra, the event’s organizer, continues the religious program, which is scheduled to run until February 20.
- Public Protest: Grieving family members held a protest at the event site, demanding accountability for the security lapses.
The festive atmosphere in Dabra, Gwalior, shifted from celebration to mourning on Tuesday morning as a stampede broke out during the Kalash Yatra (Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav). The event, organized by former Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra to mark the consecration of the Navgrah Peetha, drew a massive crowd of devotees that quickly overwhelmed local arrangements.
The incident occurred in an open field where thousands of women had gathered to participate in the ritual. According to eyewitness accounts, the gate to the assembly area had been kept closed for several hours. When the gates were finally opened to allow the procession to begin, the immense pressure of the crowd caused a sudden, uncontrollable surge. In the ensuing chaos, many women fell and were trampled by the rushing crowd.
Casualties and Local Outrage
The stampede claimed the life of Rati Sahu, a resident of Hanuman Colony, who succumbed to her injuries while being rushed to the hospital. Two other victims, identified as Vimala and Kala Batham, are reportedly in critical condition and are currently undergoing intensive treatment at Dabra Hospital. In total, more than six people sustained significant injuries during the crush.
Following the confirmation of Sahu’s death, her distraught relatives brought her body back to the Kalash Yatra site. The family staged a protest against the local administration, raising slogans and demanding an explanation for the perceived negligence. They alleged that despite the expectation of a massive turnout, the authorities failed to implement basic crowd control measures, such as staged entry or sufficient barricading.
Security and Administrative Lapses
Questions are now being raised regarding the preparedness of the Gwalior administration. While the Navgrah Peetha project is one of the largest religious undertakings in the region, local residents claim the police force deployed was insufficient for a gathering of this magnitude. The lack of a clear exit and entry strategy for the thousands of women present is being cited as the primary cause of the disaster.
Despite the tragedy, the event’s organizer, Dr. Narottam Mishra, shared updates on social media highlighting the “religious atmosphere” and the grandeur of the Yatra. This has drawn mixed reactions from the public, as many feel the focus should shift to the safety and recovery of the devotees.
Background: The Navgrah Peetha Project
The Navgrah Temple, situated on Bhitarwar Road in Dabra, is a sprawling 13-acre complex. It is distinguished as a unique religious site, claimed to be the only temple in the world where all nine planets are enshrined in separate chambers alongside their respective wives.
The Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav, which began with today’s ill-fated Yatra, is a major regional event scheduled to continue until February 20, 2026. However, the stampede has now sparked a broader debate regarding the safety protocols of large-scale religious gatherings in the state.
