Stampede at Srikalahasti temple during Chokkani festival, several injured

Srikalahasti: Several people were injured after a stampede took place at Srikalahasti temple after a fire broke out during Chokkani Festival. According to the sources, the temple authorities organised Chokkani festival on the occasion of Kritika Deepotsavam in the Tamil month of Karthika. A large number of devotees thronged to the temple to take part in the festival. As a part of the festival, a heavy lamp at a height of 20 feet was installed on the premises of the temple. Suddenly, a massive fire broke out and a stampede took place when the devotees ran away after fear. It is learnt that several devotees and security staff were injured in the incident and a woman security staff suffered a hand fracture. It is said that the negligence of the temple authorities is the reason behind the accident.