Heavy rush of devotees on the occasion of Nag Panchami triggered a stampede-like situation near the Mahakaleshwar Temple premises in Ujjain on Monday. Reports suggest that around 13 devotees were rushed to Ujjain District Hospital by their family members and security personnel.
A video showed devotees pushing each other as the crowd surged towards the barricades amid the heavy rush.
However, Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee member Pratham Kaushik refuted reports of a stampede-like situation and termed them a "rumour". He said proper arrangements were in place at the temple.
365 days of waiting for this sacred moment.
— Akanksha Parmar (@iAkankshaP) August 17, 2026
A truly divine and rare darshan of Shri Nagchandreshwar Mahadev on Naag Panchami from Ujjain.
Mahadev with His divine family seated upon Sheshnag a sacred sight devotees wait an entire year to witness. pic.twitter.com/hzc1AgzqlQ
"Some news channels and social media handles are running false news of stampede-like situation near Mahakal temple premises. There are proper arrangements here and it is a smooth road for devotees," Kaushik said.
#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: Injuries reported after a stampede-like situation among the devotees at Mahakaleshwar Nath Chandreshwar Mandir in Ujjain.
— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2026
Meenu, mother of a man admitted to hospital says, "This occurred at Harsiddhi Chauraha. He came under a barricade when he was going… pic.twitter.com/cNLuRxWXrO
Heavy crowds were seen in the Mahakal Temple area and on the roads around it as devotees arrived in large numbers for special darshan of Lord Mahakal and Nagchandreshwar. Around 5.50 lakh devotees have visited the temple so far.
VIDEO | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh: Heavy rush of devotees at the Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Shravan Somwar and Nag Panchami 2026.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/aBy0msu81C
According to reports, the situation turned chaotic after barricades collapsed and a tent fell, triggering panic among devotees gathered near Harsiddhi Chauraha. A rumour about electric current in the barricades also reportedly added to the panic as devotees were heading towards the Shri Nagchandreshwar Temple.
Naag Panchami, blessed with the rare and divine Darshan of Shri Nagchandreshwar Mahadev in Ujjain.
— Akanksha Parmar (@iAkankshaP) August 16, 2026
The doors of this temple open for devotees only once a year, for 24 hours on Naag Panchami.
ॐ नमः शिवाय ? pic.twitter.com/vMt31MiQQS
Several devotees were injured in the rush and were taken to Charak Hospital for treatment. The Ujjain Collector and Superintendent of Police also reached the spot and took charge of the situation.
One injured devotee, Sagar, said he had been waiting in the queue for several hours before the incident. He claimed that after the barricades were opened, the crowd surged and he became trapped when the barricades fell. He was initially taken to a health camp and later shifted to a hospital by ambulance.
The incident took place amid a massive gathering for Nag Panchami and Sawan Somvar, with thousands of devotees arriving for darshan. The heavy rush placed significant pressure on crowd movement and security arrangements.
The incident has raised concerns over crowd management and safety arrangements during major religious gatherings. Authorities are managing the situation, while further details on the number and condition of those injured are awaited.
