Tragedy Strikes Goa’s Lairai Jatra: Six Dead, Dozens Injured in Temple Stampede
Massive Crowd Surge at Shirgao Temple During Fire-Walking Ritual Sparks Panic
3 May 2025, New Delhi
In a devastating turn of events, at least six devotees lost their lives and over 60 sustained injuries during a stampede at the revered Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao, North Goa, in the early hours of Saturday. The incident occurred amidst the annual Lairai Jatra, a significant religious festival attracting thousands of worshippers from Goa and neighboring states.
Chaos Amidst Devotion
The stampede unfolded around 4:30 AM during the Agnidivya, a sacred fire-walking ritual performed by devotees known as “dhonds.” This ritual, symbolizing unwavering faith and spiritual purification, involves walking barefoot over burning embers. Eyewitnesses reported that a sudden panic ensued, leading to a chaotic rush as devotees attempted to flee the congested area. Preliminary accounts suggest that overcrowding and insufficient crowd control measures contributed to the tragedy.
Emergency services were promptly activated, with police and rescue teams arriving swiftly at the scene. The injured were transported to Goa Medical College and North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa for treatment. While keeping a careful eye on the situation, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant paid a visit to the injured. He stated that a sudden electric shock might have triggered the panic, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
With the words, “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede in Shirgao, Goa,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his condolences. To those who lost a dear one, my condolences. I hope the injured get better fast. Those impacted are receiving assistance from the local government.
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced the establishment of a 24/7 helpline for medical emergencies, reachable by dialing 104. Additional medical teams have been deployed, and ten advanced ambulances are on standby to assist with ongoing relief efforts.
The Significance of Lairai Jatra
The Lairai Jatra is an annual festival held in honor of Goddess Lairai, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. As an act of penance and devotion, thousands of devotees witness the fire-walking ceremonial, which is symbolised by the Agnidivya ritual.
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Despite elaborate security arrangements, including the deployment of over a thousand police personnel and drone surveillance, the sheer volume of attendees posed significant challenges. Authorities are now reviewing the incident to implement more effective crowd management strategies in future events.
As the community mourns the loss of lives, questions arise regarding the adequacy of safety measures during large-scale religious gatherings. The state government has pledged a thorough investigation to determine the causes and prevent such tragedies in the future.
The Lairai Jatra, a symbol of faith and cultural heritage, now bears the scars of this unfortunate incident, prompting a reevaluation of safety protocols to safeguard devotees in the years to come.
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