By :- Shruti Tiwari
Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh – A tragic incident occurred at Bageshwar Dham on Thursday morning when a portion of a waterproof tent collapsed, resulting in the death of one devotee and injuries to eight others. The mishap took place around 7 AM, shortly after the morning Aarti, amid heavy rain and strong winds.
The incident happened as a large number of devotees had gathered under the tent to seek shelter from the rain following the Aarti ceremony. The tent, set up in front of the Darwar Hall, was overloaded with rainwater. Under pressure from the accumulating water and strong winds, one side of the tent gave way, causing a portion of the metal framework to fall.
According to eyewitness accounts, 15 to 20 people were trapped under the debris. Devotees and volunteers quickly rushed to help, rescuing those who were stuck. Among the injured were six members of a single family, including women and children. The injured were admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment, with four reported to be in serious condition.
The deceased has been identified as Shyamlal Kaushal, who died on the spot due to a severe head injury caused by a falling iron pipe. His son-in-law, Rajesh, confirmed the loss and said that several other family members, including his wife Soumya, daughters Parul and Unnati, and neighbors Aryan and Kamla, were also hurt in the accident.
The accident occurred amid preparations for the grand celebration of spiritual leader Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s birthday on July 4, drawing thousands of followers from across India and even abroad. A 12-day religious festival is currently underway at the dham, which began on July 1 and will continue until July 12.
Bamitha Police Station In-charge Ashutosh Shrutiya confirmed the incident, stating, “The waterproof tent collapsed due to heavy accumulation of water and wind pressure. Eight people have been injured; four are seriously hurt, while the rest sustained minor injuries.”
The district administration is investigating the incident, and security arrangements are being re-evaluated to ensure the safety of devotees attending the ongoing festival.