On July 28, 2025, early morning at the Ausaneshwar Mahadev Temple in Barabanki’s Haidergarh area, tragedy struck during the holy Jalabhishek ritual. A group of monkeys damaged an old electrical wire, causing it to fall onto a tin shed and electrify the space where devotees had gathered. This sudden shock led to widespread panic and a stampede-like situation, in which two devotees died and 32 others were injured.

District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi confirmed that the victims included a 22‑year‑old named Prashant from Mubarakpura village, who succumbed to injuries at Trivediganj Community Health Centre, along with another unidentified person. Multiple injured were transferred to CHCs in Trivediganj and Haidergarh, with some referred to Barabanki’s district hospital for advanced care.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief and ordered expedited relief efforts, including ₹5 lakh ex gratia for the families of the deceased. Authorities have initiated an investigation to assess safety protocols at crowded religious gatherings and review local electrical infrastructure.