Shri Lairai Devi temple stampede : At least six killed, dozens injured during Shri Lairai Jatra

At least six people were killed and over 30 injured in a stampede at the Shri Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village, North Goa, during the early hours of Saturday, according to police officials. The incident occurred around 4:30 am during the annual fire-walking ritual, part of the Shri Lairai Jatra, which attracts tens of thousands of devotees each year.

Authorities confirmed that the deceased include both locals and visitors who had gathered to witness the ‘Dhonds’ — devotees who walk barefoot over burning embers — in one of Goa’s most spiritually significant festivals. Emergency teams responded immediately, transporting the injured to Goa Medical College and the district hospital in Mapusa.

What Happened at Shri Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao?

The stampede took place during the peak of the Shri Lairai Jatra, a festival held every summer in honour of the goddess Lairai. According to North Goa Superintendent of Police Nidhin Valsan, the tragedy unfolded when an uncontrolled surge of devotees attempted to push toward the ceremonial grounds in anticipation of the fire-walking ritual. He added that the crowd pressure intensified near a bottleneck pathway, leading to trampling injuries and suffocation.

While over 1,000 police personnel were deployed, and drone surveillance was used to monitor the crowd, the size and density of attendees far exceeded earlier estimates. Eyewitnesses said that confusion and lack of directional guidance created panic as devotees tried to exit and enter the ceremonial area simultaneously.

How Did Authorities Respond to the Stampede?

State officials said rescue operations began within minutes. Ambulances from neighbouring districts were deployed, and local volunteers assisted medical teams in shifting the wounded. Injured individuals were admitted primarily to Goa Medical College in Bambolim and the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa. A senior medical officer confirmed that many were treated for fractures, head injuries, and dehydration.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the injured at the hospitals later in the morning. In a statement issued via social media, he said the state government would provide ex-gratia compensation to the families of the deceased and cover all medical expenses of the injured. He confirmed that a magisterial inquiry had been ordered and promised accountability for any administrative lapses.

Why Is the Shri Lairai Jatra So Crowded?

The annual Shri Lairai Jatra is among Goa’s most revered festivals. Held in Shirgao village in Bicholim taluka, it honours Lairai Devi — one of the Sapta Sateri, or the seven sister goddesses in Konkan tradition. The festival is particularly known for its early-morning fire-walking ceremony, where thousands of male devotees, known as Dhonds, cross a bed of live embers in an act of spiritual submission and penance.

Held after the full moon in April or May, the event draws thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Due to its rural setting and limited infrastructure, the area often struggles to manage the massive influx, despite police support.

The ritual’s time-bound and once-a-year nature adds to the crowding, as everyone attempts to witness or participate in the fire-walking simultaneously. According to Goa Police officials, this high-density congregation in a confined space was the primary reason for the uncontrolled rush.

Were Safety Protocols Adequate for the Expected Crowd?

Police officials said that security arrangements had been made in advance, including drone monitoring, crowd-control barricades, designated entry and exit points, and route demarcations. However, they conceded that the density of the crowd and its movement patterns were not in line with safety projections.

Senior police officials added that the fire-walking ground was cordoned off, but pilgrims standing on adjacent streets and hillsides overran informal boundaries to get closer to the ceremony. Multiple attendees reported difficulty hearing or seeing instructions, especially due to the absence of a public address system in parts of the venue.

State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) sources said that a contingency plan had been drafted but acknowledged gaps in execution due to the unexpected surge in attendance this year.

What Did Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Say?

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, after reviewing the situation at Goa Medical College, told reporters that the incident had deeply shaken the administration. He said an immediate inquiry was being led by the District Collector and that the final report would help frame future crowd control measures for religious events.

He also urged religious bodies and temple committees to work closely with the district administration to prevent similar tragedies. “The spiritual importance of the Shri Lairai Jatra cannot be denied, but public safety has to come first,” Sawant said in his statement.

Have Similar Tragedies Occurred in India?

India has witnessed several deadly stampedes during religious gatherings in recent decades. In 2013, 36 people died in a stampede at the Allahabad railway station during the Kumbh Mela. In 2008, over 140 people were killed at the Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh. These tragedies have often pointed to a lack of structured crowd-flow planning and poor coordination between temple authorities and civil administrations.

The Shri Lairai Jatra has generally passed without incident in the past. However, this year’s larger-than-usual turnout and early-morning timing compounded the pressure on logistical arrangements. Temple committee members said this was the highest recorded attendance in over a decade, but acknowledged that they would reassess safety and capacity measures going forward.

What Happens Next in the Investigation?

The Goa government has appointed a panel headed by the Bicholim Sub-Divisional Magistrate to assess lapses in protocol, crowd flow, emergency response, and infrastructure at the site. Preliminary findings are expected within 48 hours.

Police are also collecting CCTV footage from nearby surveillance cameras and drone recordings used during crowd monitoring. The investigation will consider whether the organisers followed the guidelines issued by the Goa Home Department for managing large religious gatherings.

The state’s Disaster Response Plan may also be updated to include compulsory drill requirements, entry-token systems, and evacuation protocols for high-density public events.

What Is the Current Condition of the Injured?

Medical authorities at Goa Medical College said that five people remain in critical condition as of Saturday afternoon. Most of the other injured individuals were discharged after receiving treatment for minor injuries and trauma. Health officials have also deployed a team of counsellors to assist those suffering from psychological distress following the incident.

Meanwhile, local panchayat members have begun arrangements for mourning services, and the temple premises have been temporarily closed for ritual purification.

Will Future Jatras and Religious Events in Goa See Reforms?

In response to growing public concern, the Goa government is expected to formulate new policy guidelines for religious festivals by the end of May. These may include:

• Crowd capacity limits based on terrain analysis

• Mandatory police verification of preparedness plans

• Public address systems and designated viewing zones

• Emergency exits clearly marked with visible signboards

• Collaboration with national disaster response teams

Local temple boards may be required to obtain fresh safety clearances for all future large-scale events. The SDMA is also likely to initiate training workshops for religious organisers on managing high-risk public events.