Vrindavan, India - One woman was killed and another injured in a stampede at the Bankey Bihari Temple here as thousands of devotees gathered to offer prayers on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya, police said.
Rama Maheshwari, a 58-year-old devotee from Kanpur, was killed in the stampede. A woman from New Delhi was seriously injured, Vrindavan police station in-charge Onkar Singh told IANS.
Rama Maheswhari's husband Prem Swarup Maheshwari said his wife felt suffocated and fell down. The huge crowd worsened her condition and she collapsed while being taken to hospital.
"The crowd pressure was building since morning and there were no arrangements for queue formation. Everyone rushed into the temple when the doors to the main shrine opened," said Raghav Mittal, a social activist.
Akshay Tritiya, the third day of the waxing moon in the month of Baisakh, is a holy day in the Hindu calendar. Acts performed on the day are believed to bring long-term prosperity. Thousands of devotees visit temples and then buy assets such as gold, silver or real estate.