Shirgao (Goa) temple stampede during Lairai Devi Jatra; magisterial inquiry ordered
A stampede at the annual Lairai Jatra of the Shree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village, North Goa, in the early hours of 3 May 2025 killed at least six devotees; Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a magisterial inquiry.
Summary
Shirgao village in Bicholim taluk, North Goa, saw a stampede at around 2.45â3 am on 3 May 2025 during the annual Lairai Jatra at the Shree Lairai Devi temple, attended by tens of thousands of devotees, including dhonds (special devotees of the goddess). At least six people died, as reported by PTI (in The Economic Times), The Indian Express and The Hindu, and many were injured. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a magisterial inquiry, said the report would be made public, and announced ₹10 lakh for the families of those who died. The State Government formed a fact-finding committee headed by Revenue Secretary Sandeep Jacques. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and said the local administration was assisting those affected. Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai met the victims' families on 4 May.
Key facts
- Date
- 3 May 2025, around 2.45â3 am
- Place
- Shree Lairai Devi temple, Shirgao, Bicholim taluk, North Goa
- Event
- Annual Lairai Jatra (dhonds take part)
- Deaths
- At least six (PTI/ET, Indian Express, The Hindu, 3 May)
- State response
- Magisterial inquiry; fact-finding committee under Revenue Secretary Sandeep Jacques; ₹10 lakh to families of the dead
- Centre
- PM's condolences (PIB); no PMNRF ex-gratia stated in the PIB release
Practice MCQs 2 questions
At the Lairai Jatra in Shirgao, Goa, where a stampede occurred on 3 May 2025, the special devotees of Goddess Lairai Devi are called:
Show answer
Correct answer: A â Dhonds
The special devotees are called dhonds. Agnidivya is the fire-walking ritual, a beth is the cane carried by dhonds, and zatra is another name for the festival.
Consider the following statements about the Shirgao stampede of May 2025: 1. The State's fact-finding committee was headed by Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai. 2. The Goa Chief Minister ordered a magisterial inquiry and said its report would be made public. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B â 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The fact-finding committee was headed by Revenue Secretary Sandeep Jacques; the Governor met the victims' families.