The annual Lairai Devi jatra (procession) at the Sree Devi Lairai Temple in Shirgaon, Goa, took an unfortunate turn on Saturday morning. Around six people were killed and at least 30 were critically injured in a stampede during the temple festival in Goa.
Stampede Breaks Out During Annual Procession At A Temple In Goa
Thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka had come together to celebrate the annual Lairai Devi procession at the famous temple in North Goa. However, the procession took an unfortunate turn when a stampede broke out, claimed six lives, and left many severely injured.
According to NDTV, the exact cause of the stampede at the Goa temple is not clear yet and will be ascertained after a probe. The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday. According to the eyewitnesses, due to some reason, panic erupted during the large religious gathering. This triggered a sudden chaos with people frantically trying to flee the area. The chaos and the people caused a sudden stampede at the Goa temple.
The injured people were taken to the nearby hospitals for immediate medical assistance. Ambulances were immediately dispatched to reach the location of the incident. Videos surfacing on social media show how, despite the chaos, people tried to make way for the ambulances to reach the site and attend to the injured.
Many Devotees Critically Injured
The stampede happened at the Sree Devi Lairai Temple, which is about 40 kilometres from Panaji. The temple is renowned for its fusion of northern and southern architectural styles. It hosts the Shirgao Jatra every May and draws thousands of devotees. Villagers from nearby cities and states come together to participate in the religious rituals. One of the main highlights of the jatra is the traditional fire-walking ritual. After a night of celebration, when the fire dies down, devotees run on the coals barefoot and chant Devi Lairai’s name.
Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 3, 2025
After the news of the stampede at the Goa temple broke out, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his grief. In the post, he said he was “deeply saddened by the Lairai Zatra stampede in Shirgaon” and assured support to the affected families.
Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and have assured all possible support to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure that every necessary measure is being…
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) May 3, 2025
Prime Minister Modi also posted about the incident. He expressed condolences and shared how he was “saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa.”
Also Read: Goa Heritage Festival 2025: A Three-Day Celebration Of Goa’s Timeless Traditions & Vibrant Local Art
An investigation to know more about the cause of the stampede in Goa temple is now underway.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@timesalways1 & X/@vizhpuneet
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