The Crossbill News Desk
At least six people were killed and 30 others injured in a stampede at the Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village, Goa, during the early hours of Saturday (May 3).
The incident occurred as thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka congregated for the annual Lairai Zatra festival, which features fire-walking rituals and other traditional practices.
According to PTI, the stampede unfolded amid the heavy rush of pilgrims. A senior police official stated that the precise cause of the tragedy will be ascertained following a detailed investigation.
Goa’s Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that 30 individuals sustained injuries in the stampede, with eight of them in critical condition. Two of the critically injured have been shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim for advanced medical care.
Expressing grief, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of lives at the Lairai Zatra.
“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 taken,” he posted on X.
He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to him, taken stock of the situation, and extended full support to the state during this difficult time.
The Lairai Devi temple, known for its fusion of northern and southern architectural styles, hosts the Shirgao Jatra festival each May. The event draws thousands of devotees and is particularly known for the dramatic fire-walking ritual that takes place before dawn.
The celebration includes vibrant activities such as circular stick dances performed inside the temple, drumming, and the lighting of a massive bonfire—a symbolic moment that signals the start of the barefoot walk across burning embers.
Participants chant the name of Goddess Lairai while running over the hot coals, often repeating the act multiple times. The ritual concludes with devotees placing their garlands on a banyan tree before heading home at sunrise, marking the end of the festival.
The stampede has cast a shadow over the revered annual event, prompting renewed concerns over crowd management and safety at large religious gatherings.
The incident occurred as thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka congregated for the annual Lairai Zatra festival, which features fire-walking rituals and other traditional practices.
According to PTI, the stampede unfolded amid the heavy rush of pilgrims. A senior police official stated that the precise cause of the tragedy will be ascertained following a detailed investigation.
Goa’s Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that 30 individuals sustained injuries in the stampede, with eight of them in critical condition. Two of the critically injured have been shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim for advanced medical care.
Expressing grief, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of lives at the Lairai Zatra.
“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 taken,” he posted on X.
He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to him, taken stock of the situation, and extended full support to the state during this difficult time.
The Lairai Devi temple, known for its fusion of northern and southern architectural styles, hosts the Shirgao Jatra festival each May. The event draws thousands of devotees and is particularly known for the dramatic fire-walking ritual that takes place before dawn.
The celebration includes vibrant activities such as circular stick dances performed inside the temple, drumming, and the lighting of a massive bonfire—a symbolic moment that signals the start of the barefoot walk across burning embers.
Participants chant the name of Goddess Lairai while running over the hot coals, often repeating the act multiple times. The ritual concludes with devotees placing their garlands on a banyan tree before heading home at sunrise, marking the end of the festival.
The stampede has cast a shadow over the revered annual event, prompting renewed concerns over crowd management and safety at large religious gatherings.
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