Devotees visited Krishna temples across the country
New Delhi: The Police said on Saturday, At least two people died due to overcrowding during Janmashtami celebrations at a temple in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.
The incident took place during midnight celebrations at Banke Bihari temple, police officials added.
"On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, there was a sudden surge in the number of devotees. During Aarti people rushed to the complex and this resulted in huge crowding. This is when the two devotees - a woman and a man - died due to suffocation," Abhishek Yadav, a senior cop in Mathura, told NDTV. Six people also suffered injuries and are currently admitted in the hospital, he added.
Mathura is said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
Earlier, CM Yogi Adityanath visited the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura and reiterated his commitment to preserve and promote the spiritual and cultural heritage of the state.
"Paritranaya Sadhunam Vinashaya Cha Dushkritam', the teachings of Lord Shri Krishna, inspires our thoughts, our actions and our vision," he said.
"Lord Krishna arrived on this earth about 5,000 years ago from today and his 'leelas' are celebrated in every part of the country and even across the World," Yogi Adityanath added.
In Mathura, devotees were seen dancing to the tunes of "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" mantra. The enthusiasm is similar in Krishna temples across the country on this special day.
As per mythology, the birth of Krishna took place at midnight. Special Prasadam is distributed after the midnight rituals on Janmashtami.
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