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Summary At least eight devotees are killed and 20 others injured in a stampede at a fair.
At least eight devotees were killed and 20 others injured in a stampede at a fair in the vicinity of a temple in Junagadh district of Indias western Gujarat state on Sunday evening on the eve of a Hindu festival.The mishap took place at the Bhavnath Temple fair after two vehicles blocked the entrance.Tens of thousands of people had assembled at the event which would conclude on the occasion of Mahashivsratri festival on Monday.The toll consists of three women, two children and one man. The injured, some of them are said to be serious, have been rushed to nearby hospitals.The entire traffic was blocked after two vehicles came head to head. Scores of people had come to enjoy the fair. There was no exit for the people. Some incidents have taken place due to suffocation. Nearly six people have died according to the latest figure that we have received from the hospital, said Dipankar Trivedi, the Superintendent of Police, Jungadh.Maha Shivaratri or Mahashivratri falls during the dark half of the month of Magh. A day of strict fasting accompanied by Lord Shivas worship and vigil precedes the festival, which is celebrated with great rejoicing and feasting. It is regarded as an extremely auspicious festival.The festival celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati, and holds immense importance in Hinduism.
