The fire broke out in the Chokkani festival held at Srikalahasti temple in Tirupati district. At the end of the Chokkani festival organized in the Mukkanti temple on the occasion of Krittika Dipotsavam, several people were injured after a stampede took place at Srikalahasti temple after a fire broke out. There was a stampede among the devotees after the fire broke out during the Deepotsavam. A large number of devotees thronged to the temple to take part in this festival. As a part of the festival, a heavy lamp at a height of 20 feet was installed on the premises of the temple.
A security guard was injured in the stampede. Another employee’s hand was inured. Several devotees and security staff were injured in the incident and a woman security staff suffered a hand fracture. It is said that the negligence of the temple authorities is the reason behind the accident. Devotees alleged that this happened due to the failure of temple security.
Chokkani Utsav was organized in Srikalasthi to celebrate Tamil Kartikam and Krittika Nakshatra day. Chokkani was set up near the Mandapam of Nagarikumaru in the temple premises and burnt. First special pujas were performed to the Utsavamurthys of Sri Kalahastiswaraswamy along with Sri Gnana Prasunambika.
Srikalahastiswara Devasthanam is located in Srikalahasti town of Tirupati district in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the most famous Shiva temples in South India.