Bihar stampede LIVE updates: At least 8 killed in stampede during Tuesday prayers at Nalanda temple; probe initiated

The Sheetla Mata temple is located at Maghada place in Nalanda, Bihar.
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At least people have been killed in a stampede that took place during prayers atthe Sheetla Mata Temple in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Tuesday (March 31, 2026). The district administration has now closed the temple to tackle the situation.

Locals alleged that there were no proper security arrangements at the temple to control the crowd. Devotees from Nalanda and neighbouring districts gather at the temple in Maghada place to offer prayers every Tuesday. The toll is likely to go up, they said. 

Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit has been instructed to initate a probe into the incident and submit a report to the government. Expressing condolences, Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and State Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar assured that all possible assistance would be provided to the victims.

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