Tragedy at Shri Lairai Zatra Festival In Goa: 7 Killed, 40 Injured in Stampede

Panaji (The Uttam Hindu): A devastating stampede occurred during the Shri Lairai Zatra festival in Goa's Shirgao on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people and injuring over 40 others. The injured were rushed to the Goa Medical College (GMC) and the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa for medical treatment.

Chief Minister Visits Hospital

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the North Goa District Hospital to assess the situation and also visited the Bicholim hospital earlier in the day. Authorities have yet to release further details about the cause of the stampede or the identities of the victims.

Annual Festival

The Shri Lairai Zatra is a deeply revered annual festival celebrated at the Shri Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao, attracting devotees from across the state and beyond. The festival features a grand procession of the deity, marked by rhythmic drumming, devotional chanting, and ceremonial offerings, culminating in the traditional dhondachi zatra, where thousands of devotees walk across burning embers barefoot.