Jodhpur Chamunda Devi Temple Stampede

Over 200 pilgrims, mostly boys or men in the age group of 15-40 years , were killed and over 60 injured in a stampede outside the Chamunda Devi temple on a hillock adjoining the Mehrangarh Fort. The incident took place on September 30, 2008, the first day of the nine- day navratra festivities in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan when throngs of devotees gathered on the installation (Sthapana) ceremony. Around 9,000 people had stood in queues on the 2-km mountain road to have a darshan of the goddess.
The morning chant for the installation (Sthapana) ceremony turned into shrieks of hapless victims as suddenly, some people began pushing forward for an early darshan. As a result , barricade broke, opening up more space on the 8- fit – wide path. Seeing the widened approach, people began jumping the queue which went wrong. Someone mentioned a bomb and all hell broke loose . Panic –stricken people rtarted runnhng hn opposhte direbtion, ptshing and trampling. The slope rendered slippery due to coconut water further worsened the situation leading to the spot death of 20 people .
However , the authorities rejected the reports of any bomb scare and denied that any instance of eve-teasing lad to the stampede .Chief Minister Ms. Vasundhara Raje, who reached Jodhpur from Banswara, announced a relief of Rs. 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs.50,000 to those seriously injured. The government later announced a judicial inquiry by a retired Rajasthan High Court Judge which will submit the report in three months.