Pilgrims who reached the Arasavalli Sun Temple in Srikakulam district last night are still waiting to be let into the temple.
Thousands of devotees thronged the famous temple to witness Rathasapthami, and for their pains, were left waiting outside the temple with no provision for refreshments, their medicines taken away, and amid increasingly chaotic crowds.
This caused a stampede to occur there this morning, in which three persons were severely injured and had to be shifted to the hospital. Several others have fainted due to the lack of water and food.
The devotees allege carelessness by the management and rough handling by the police.
Meanwhile, several VIPs including Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao had smooth darshanams.