In an overcrowded ashram belonging to Swami Kripaluji Maharaj in Uttar Pradesh, the entry gate collapsed, leading to a stampede in which at least 65 people were killed and 35 injured.
The tragedy occurred about 180 km from Lucknow, at the ashram in Mangarh village near Kunda town in Pratapgarh district.
Thousands of devotees of the Radha Krishna sect had come to the Bhakti Dham ashram of Kripaluji Maharaj to attend a free lunch hosted annually on the occasion of his wife's death anniversary. The swami had also announced that Rs. 20 and free utensils would be distributed to each devotee, which was what led to the huge number thronging the place.