In a tragic incident during the inaugural ceremonies of Madhya Pradesh’s newly constructed Navagraha Shakti Peeth temple in Dabra, Gwalior district, an elderly woman collapsed and died amid a massive Kalash Yatra procession on Tuesday.
The procession, marking the start of the temple’s Pran Pratishtha rituals, began from the stadium ground and proceeded towards the temple site. Thousands of devotees, predominantly women, participated in the event led by prominent BJP leader and former Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who serves as a trustee of the temple.
Eyewitnesses reported that the woman suddenly fell unconscious in the crowded procession. Local authorities rushed her to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared her dead on arrival. A video circulating online shows police managing the large crowd at the scene.
Narottam Mishra’s communication in-charge, Brijesh Dwivedi, confirmed the incident to reporters, noting that over 20,000 women were part of the Kalash Yatra. ‘She collapsed abruptly during the procession and despite immediate medical attention, could not be saved,’ Dwivedi stated.
The 10-day religious program, which commenced on Tuesday, has drawn stringent security measures from the district administration. High-profile spiritual figures including Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of Bageshwar Dham, Pradeep Mishra, poet Kumar Vishwas, Danti Maharaj, and saints from various dhams like Pandokhar, Dhumeshwar, Dandroua, and Rawatpura Sarkar are expected to attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.
Organizers had earlier announced that Sant Badrish Ji Maharaj and his 70 disciples would conduct key rituals, with Danti Maharaj leading special anushthans throughout the event from February 10 to 20.
Beyond religious leaders, several political figures from across party lines have been invited. Recently, Mishra met Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, extending a formal invitation for the ceremonies.
This unfortunate death has cast a shadow over what was anticipated to be a grand celebration of faith and devotion in the region, prompting calls for better crowd management during such large gatherings.