• Source:JND
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Thakur Banke Bihari Temple in Mathura’s Vrindavan is set to celebrate the vibrant festival of Holi, starting with Rangbharani Ekadashi on Wednesday. Police and local administrative bodies have implemented several measures, including the deployment of security forces. However, the situation got out of hand on Tuesday, as hoards of devotees gathered at the temple premises, leading to the death of one and another's health deteriorated due to suffocation.

According to reports, the police personnel were busy serving the VVIPs while several women and children were suffering due to overcrowding at the temple premises.

The situation worsened before the Rajbhog Aarti in the afternoon, as devotees were blocked for the VVIPs entry.

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One of the devotees identified as Sakhi fell unconscious due to suffocation after being trapped in the crowd. Before that, another devotee lost his life due to the same.

Lakhs of devotees had gathered at Thakur Banke Bihari temple since Tuesday morning for darshan. They are also eager to witness the colourful Lathmar Holi in Vrindavan and Barsana. The overcrowding was such that people were seen screaming to get a way. The security teams deployed there also worked hard to maintain the decorum but there was not any significant change in the situation.

In the afternoon, when the curtains were raised for 'darshan', the police evacuated entrance number two for some time for VVIPs. In such a situation, other devotees began panicking fearing that the darshan would be stopped, and the situation worsened further.

Following this, DM Shailendra Kumar Singh, and SSP Shailesh Kumar Pandey reached Thakur Banke Bihari temple to take stock of the situation. They gave proper directions and made appropriate arrangements inside the temple.