Horror at Goa’s Shirgaon Jatra: 6 Dead, Dozens Injured in Temple Stampede

A Joyous Festival Turns Deadly
On May 3, 2025, the annual Lairai Devi Jatra at Shirgaon’s Shree Lairai Devi Temple in Goa became a scene of unimaginable tragedy when a stampede killed six devotees and injured over 50 others. This vibrant Hindu festival, celebrated with fervor in Bicholim, draws thousands to honor Goddess Lairai through rituals like the fire-walking Agnidivya. The catastrophe, occurring during pre-dawn ceremonies, has left the state in shock and sparked urgent demands for better safety protocols at religious gatherings.

Overcrowding Triggers Chaos
The stampede erupted near the temple’s main entrance as a massive crowd of devotees, including fasting dhonds, converged for the sacred rituals. Initial investigations suggest that a bottleneck formed due to the overwhelming number of attendees, estimated at over 20,000, leading to a sudden surge and panic. Eyewitnesses reported people stumbling and being trampled in the ensuing chaos. Despite the presence of 1,000 police personnel, drone surveillance, and traffic diversions, the crowd management measures proved inadequate. Emergency response teams rushed the injured to Goa Medical College and Mapusa’s North Goa District Hospital for treatment.

Swift Response and Investigation
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane visited the hospitals to console victims’ families and ensure quality medical care. Sawant announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for the deceased’s kin and ordered a magisterial inquiry to probe the incident. Preliminary findings indicate lapses in crowd control planning, given the festival’s predictable high attendance. The temple committee and local authorities are under scrutiny as the investigation seeks to pinpoint accountability and recommend preventive measures.

A Call for Safer Celebrations
The Shirgaon tragedy has reignited concerns about safety at India’s crowded religious events. Community leaders and devotees are urging the government to implement stricter guidelines, including capped attendance, better infrastructure, and real-time crowd monitoring. As Goa mourns, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the need to balance devotion with safety to prevent such heart-wrenching losses in the future.