In a tragedy that took place on the first day of the annual Shirgao Zatra festival, six individuals died and 30 were hurt when a stampede at the Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village, North Goa, occurred early Saturday, May 3, 2025. Eight of the injured are said to be critical and two of the patients have been shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim for higher treatment.
The stampede broke out as devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, numbering thousands, had gathered to take part in the Shirgao Zatra, a much-honored festival dedicated to Goddess Lairai. The festival is famous for its special fire-walking ceremony, where devotees, called "dhonds," walk barefoot on fiery embers as an offering.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was deeply grieved by the accident and said, "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 further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken with him, providing full support at this unfortunate time. The reason behind the stampede is still unknown. Officials have not yet established what caused the sudden rush that resulted in the deaths and injuries. The Lairai Devi temple, which is famous for its combination of northern and southern architecture, is a center of religious fervor during the Shirgao Zatra, with thousands of pilgrims visiting it every year.
While the people mourn the loss of lives, questions were also raised regarding crowd control and safety measures while religious worship is taking place in large masses. The government has assured that it will do everything in its power to help the families of the victims and take steps to ensure that such an incident does not take place in the future.
The Shirgao Zatra, despite this year's calamity, remains a significant religious and cultural festival in Goa, symbolizing faith, tradition, and harmony between people. The fire-walking ritual, in particular, is a manifestation of the unwavering belief of the participants who perform this age-old practice.
Although investigations are currently being carried out, the focus remains on bringing relief to the affected households and ensuring the safety of the participants in forthcoming festivals.
