India: Stampede of Hindu Pilgrims Kills More Than 100

KOCHI, India (AP) — A stampede of pilgrims returning from one of India’s most popular Hindu festivals killed at least 102 people and injured 44 others, police said Saturday.

The stampede was set off Friday night when a group of pilgrims in a jeep drove into a crowd of worshippers walking along a narrow forest path as they returned from offering prayers at the hilltop Sabarimala shrine in the state of Kerala in southern India, said local police official Sanjay Kumar.

All the injured were hospitalized, some in serious condition, Kumar told The Associated Press.

“We have recovered 102 bodies. The rescue work is almost over,” he said.

The area was flooded with pilgrims and the stampede occurred nearly 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of the temple site, Kumar said.

The annual two-month festival attracts millions of worshippers to the remote temple to the Hindu deity Ayyappan. The ceremony Friday marked the end of the festival, and an estimated 150,000 devotees were thought to have taken the narrow path out of the densely forested hills where the stampede took place, the Press Trust of India reported.

Millions of devotees make the pilgrimage each year and nearly 2,000 police officers were deployed near the shrine to prevent such accidents from happening, PTI reported. A small stampede last week killed one pilgrim, it said.

The difficulty in reaching the stampede site delayed relief operations, PTI reported.

Deadly stampedes are relatively common at temples in India, where large crowds — sometimes hundreds of thousands of people — gather in tiny areas with no safety measures or crowd control.

In March, 63 people were killed when poor villagers scrambled for free food and clothing being given away at a ceremony at a temple in northern Uttar Pradesh state. In 2008, more than 145 people died in a stampede at a remote Hindu temple at the foothills of the Himalayas.

Comments (42)

  • beckisnuts
    Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:49am

    “BECKISNUTS: You are correct! My thoughts are not my own, they are the purely God’s words not mine. I was hoping that they would inspire you to seek His wisdom, and not continue to be deceived.”
    You are delusional. What can be asserted without proof can equally be dismissed without proof.

    “I took note that you contradicted every thing I said to you, without presenting a shred of evidence.”
    What can be asserted without proof can equally be dismissed without proof.

    “About your thoughts, have we not seen them “regurgitated” since the beginning of time. Do you have anything original to add?”
    Yes I do. However, originality of thought should never be confused with the freedom to observe the world and draw conclusions based upon logical consistency and fidelity to empiricism.

    Report Post »  
  • TRUTHLADY
    Posted on January 16, 2011 at 9:28pm

    BECKISNUTS: You are correct! My thoughts are not my own, they are the purely God’s words not mine. I was hoping that they would inspire you to seek His wisdom, and not continue to be deceived. I took note that you contradicted every thing I said to you, without presenting a shred of evidence. About your thoughts, have we not seen them “regurgitated” since the beginning of time. Do you have anything original to add?

    Report Post »  
  • beckisnuts
    Posted on January 16, 2011 at 8:26pm

    You’re simply regurgitating the thoughts of others that were written in the past. What are your thoughts? Or are simply a vessel to contain the ideas of long dead people?

    Report Post »  
  • TRUTHLADY
    Posted on January 16, 2011 at 4:46pm

    BECKISNUTS – Here is the answer to your comments – “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are: That no flesh shall glory in His presence. That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord”. IN SUMMARY: I Hope that this will help you and anyone else that reads it. GOD BLESS.

    Report Post »  
  • beckisnuts
    Posted on January 16, 2011 at 1:46pm

    Truthlady – This is for you.

    “No one planted anything in my head. The evidence of God is seen in the things that He created.”
    Not true. Your statement has no merit and is based in faith only.

    “Who planted in your head that everything came from nothing?”
    That’s a false assumption based on your reasoning skills, and in fact was never claimed to begin with.

    “I think I will err of the side of truth and irrefutable evidence.”
    You have no truth only a faith in what you were told. There is no evidence of “God” at all. None.

    “You can follow along with those who are being deceived. One day soon you will find out who was right. In this day and age, it is the time to see everything that God said in His word unfolding before our very eyes. Take a good look at what is going on around you, not just in this Country but around the World.”
    That statement is a wild assumption, based on your unprovable beliefs. Wrong again.

    “When God is removed, chaos and disorder follows.”
    100% wrong on so many levels it’s nearly mind-boggling.

    “I suggest you rethink your position before it is too late. All who do not believe in God will be without excuse and there will be no plea bargaining. Take heed and search for the truth. The consequences are everlasting.”
    That is a threat. Claiming belief under threat is not believing at all. Death will be the only thing that’s everlasting for all living creatures. Primates are no different and do not get a free pass. When one is dead, one is dead. Having been gullible while alive does not change that fact.

    “God Bless You my friend.”
    We are not friends. If God did exist, he would not take orders from you.

    In summary Truthlady, your delusions are your problem and it‘s wrong of you to attempt to make them someone else’s.

    Report Post »  
  • Gums
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 11:22pm

    Given the fact that Sarah Palin just said something that hurts Jewish people I say it is her fault. Jews are Semitic and India is in the same area so if the people there were offended it could have caused mass discomfort and then it led to this stampede.

    Report Post » Gums  
  • TRUTHLADY
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 4:06pm

    BILLMAHERSUX – This is for you. No one planted anything in my head. The evidence of God is seen in the things that He created. Who planted in your head that everything came from nothing? I think I will err of the side of truth and irrefutable evidence. You can follow along with those who are being deceived. One day soon you will find out who was right. In this day and age, it is the time to see everything that God said in His word unfolding before our very eyes. Take a good look at what is going on around you, not just in this Country but around the World. When God is removed, chaos and disorder follows. I suggest you rethink your position before it is too late. All who do not believe in God will be without excuse and there will be no plea bargaining. Take heed and search for the truth. The consequences are everlasting. God Bless You my friend.

    Report Post »  
  • billmahersux
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 12:48pm

    Truthlady, who planted all those ideas in your head? That God stuff is all made up by men. It’s amazing how many people still buy that nonsense in this day and age. The people that created those stories lived in the stone age and never understood anything about the real world. They made up stories to explain things that we now understand. Now religion does more damage than good.

    Report Post »  
  • TRUTHLADY
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 11:59am

    There is only one God who created the Heavens and the Earth. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. The God who created all things came into the world as Jesus Christ, to give His life as a ransom for all mankind. So the choice is yours, you can make up your own God or you can believe the truth. There are everlasting consequences for your choice. Make the right one.

    Report Post »  
  • NancyBee
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 11:51am

    I know this is a stupid question but…Why don’t they wait til the crowd thins out?

    Report Post » NancyBee  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 11:07am

    The use of the word pilgrim in these settings always seems oddly interesting to me. Its as if we are talking about another being outside our own experience with the human race. Its sad news because It should not have happened. Why does a vehicle all of a sudden lose control in crowded masses? Weird!

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • JD Carp
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 11:03am

    I’m sure Bill Mahar would use this to say, “See religion IS hazardous to your health.”

    Report Post » JD Carp  
  • Rn mom
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:44am

    The Real Untameable Kate- Sorry your identity has been stolen by someone who wants to hurt your reputation. Unfortunately this thief feels empowered by stealing your name and posting in ways that you wouldn’t. Although he thinks he is sly, he is nothing more than a common thief and now I and many others who follow you know that your ID has been stolen. In the court of law liability falls with the impostor- poster. The impostor Untameable feels protected when anonymously posting defamatory remarks. You can file a John Doe lawsuit and use the subpoena power granted by it to force the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide any information they have about the anonymous poster.

    Maybe there is an attorney on this blog who would do it pro- bono?

    Report Post » RN MOM  
    • NancyBee
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 11:43am

      RnMom…..How are they doing that…..? That needs to be checked into by Glenn’s crew…..That’s really sad……just adds more confusion

      Report Post » NancyBee  
    • billmahersux
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 12:44pm

      I bet posters like this Kate person were doing it to themselves to get attention. Kate was I’m sure. You could tell by the way they were written.

      Report Post »  
    • billmahersux
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 12:57pm

      No billmahersu, it happened to me also. I’ll have to come to bat for untameable kate, although I doubt she would return the kindness. This web site has some serious issues and is no longer worth participating in. Now I’ll wait for the hostile remarks to flow. Or perhaps I won’t, since I will not be here to read them. Off you all go then.

      Report Post »  
    • Rn mom
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 1:31pm

      I do not know how they can be taking her name on the site. That’s a good question. Yesterday I noticed that Untameable Kate was being little dirty/raunchy with her posts (the ones I saw). Nothing over the top, but it made me raise my eyebrows. Then the real U.K. came on and posted that someone stole her tag and was posting in her place. I saw a few defenses from her.

      Aside from the extreme right wing of this site (which is ok with me- but not my style), I have noticed that we get trolls (left wing extremists) here- people who post irritating things like bad mouthing Sarah Palin in order to instigate a fight. Then a few of the bloggers defend Glenn or Sarah or whoever and call the trolls names. By the time this entire ordeal is dealt with by everyone, the story line has been forgotten the thread is full of BS and the trolls have managed to direct the dialog.

      Now they have stepped up to a new level of pot-stirring by stealing a tag name (which is your online identity) and aggravating everyone again. It is clever but underhanded, and if this site is to overcome it remains to be seen.

      Report Post » RN MOM  
    • UNTAMEABLE-KATE
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 1:39pm

      I have figured out how to use other people tags on this site. Fist you go into your user profile, then you change your nickname which will update your display name, you click on the updated display name and viola- it’s done. I kept my picture the same so that I don‘t take all of Untameable Kate’s identity.

      My suggestion: Post a picture to your profile that is original, that will make it harder for anyone to take your tag.

      RN MOM  
    • republitarian
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 7:21pm

      Thanks RN Mom. Went to “Site Support” for some answers and found this under Tips and Tricks. Aptly titled.

      “Can I change my user name?

      Mark R.
      posted this on Sep-10 2010 10:36
      You cannot change your account username once it has been set. However, you can change what is seen on your comments by changing the display name (nickname) in your profile.

      How to change your display name (Nickname)
      Make sure you are logged into TheBlaze.com
      Access your User Profile
      Change the value next to “Display name publicly as”
      Click Update Profile.
      Please note, that although your comments will now show your chosen display name, your username on the top navigational bar of the site will remain the same.

      This change may not be immediate, but should be live within a few minutes, however, in some cases may take up to an hour to change on all your comments throughout the site.

      0 People found this helpful – Me too!”

      If it is answers you seek, go to the cave.

      http://support.theblaze.com/entries/321168-paging-glenn-beck-scott-baker-to-do-something.

      What’s in there? Only what you take with you.

      Report Post » republitarian  
  • Fight for America
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:33am

    Another day, another painfully sad, didn’t have to happen stampede in a place known for stampedes. There hasn’t been a terrible, over-packed ferry incident recently, but, we know there will be. And the forest fires in California, the ones where our firefighters and volunteers die so that people can turn their noses on Mother Nature so that they can live in a forest that doesn’t have some kind of safe zone burn every so often. And yes, by all means build and rebuild homes and businesses in Lousiana where the water level isn‘t right for it and man’s attempts to hold back the water have been proven less than adequate. Continue to allow sporting events to turn into free for alls in the stands where people get crushed, people fall over railings, or building areas collapse. Make sure to build communities on mountains or next to them so that disaster happens when the rain causes landslides, or waiting to pop volcanoes eventually pop and destroy hundreds or thousands of lives. Remember those flooding rivers that wipe out everything nearby. There’s more, but, that‘s the drift and that’s the gamble.. Sometimes people make their own disasters instead of creating the proper infrustructure, or stopping home building in dangerous areas, etc. Yep, and then, the people we cry for don’t get the “blame”, nor do their “governments” or the “religions” (both of which could make changes but won’t). It’s all about that mean old Nature thing and not the Mankind thing.

    Yes, I am sad for them, that’s not the point.

    Report Post »  
  • stmike
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:14am

    They waited till the end to tell why it happened. Giving away free food and clothing. People didn’t stampede Mother Teresa because she was charitable everyday, not just on special occasions. Think this can’t happen here? Well how about that Wal-Mart on Long Island two Christmas’s ago? A couple of people hurt and I think atleast one dead because of a stampede for cheap plastic Chinese junk. Hope and pray this republic doesn’t end up as poor and desperate as some other countries one day because in some areas there just is not enough civic and moral virtue to keep society civil.

    Report Post »  
  • psycodad36
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:53am

    must be another anti-hindu S U V attacking innocent pilgrims.time to ban all S U V ‘s

    Report Post »  
  • trolltrainer
    Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:50am

    Global warming or Sarah Palin?

    Report Post »  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:58am

      Did anyone see the IRT (Ice Road truckers) show they did in India? For as brilliant as Indian people are they are nuts! That traffic was ludicrous! No one seems to pay any attention to any rules.

      Report Post »  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:08am

      I didn’t realize the listened to talk radio so much in India.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • Xcori8r
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:49am

      Things tend to get a little cramped sometimes on a country of 1.15 billion people. But be nice to them because an Indian or a Chinese will be signing your paychecks in the not too far future.

      Report Post » Xcori8r  
    • blanco
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:55am

      I LOVE your name!!!

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:08am

      @Trolltrainer

      You hit upon the main part of the traffic system of India; in certain regions, as you have apperantly seen on the IRT in India, there is very little rules of the road. You just do the best possible, and keep praying you actually make it to your destination.

      In one peice at least.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • 912828Buckeye
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:10am

      Culling of the heard.

      Report Post » 912828Buckeye  
    • Devil Dog 7175
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:13am

      No, it was Bush’s fault.

      Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
    • Devil Dog 7175
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:16am

      Troll Trainerer and Snow Leopard.., Ever been to the Philippines? LOL!

      Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
    • hkyfan36
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:26am

      Bus driver graduate from the Venezula school of busing.

      Report Post »  
    • dwh320
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:35am

      @ SNOWLEOPARD3200 {CAT FOLK ART}
      “You hit upon the main part of the traffic system of India; in certain regions, as you have apperantly seen on the IRT in India, there is very little rules of the road. You just do the best possible, and keep praying you actually make it to your destination.”

      Sounds like India operates off the same system as the U.S. Congress.

      Report Post » dwh320  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:37am

      @Devil Dog

      No to the Philipines, have a friend who goes to see her relatives there in the summer months, and she tried to explain the driving once – sounded something like a case of survival of the fittest.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • LibertarianTrent
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 1:00pm

      Glenn Beck

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 2:37pm

      @DWH320

      India highway system is more efficient than the Congress. More and larger cliffs to weed out the idiot drivers.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • avenger
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 3:15pm

      Bush…

      Report Post »  
    • republitarian
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 4:33pm

      I like the lawless driving. I was shocked my first first time in Puerto Rico, but my libertarian mind quickly made sense of it. Watch out for yourself and watch out for others. The rules make people lazy enough to think that they can do other things while they drive. Hence the bus driver’s lap dance.

      Report Post » republitarian  
    • 777phase
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:08pm

      Bush’s fault……………………

      Report Post » 777phase  

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