One dead, 20 injured in Solapur temple stampede

A stampede at a temple in Osmanabad,Maharashtra, claimed one life and left 20 others injured, police said on Saturday.

The stampede occurred early on Saturday morning, as hundreds of devotees gathered outside the temple to pray at the beginning of the Navratri Festival.

The district police immediately controlled the situation and dispersed the huge crowd outside the main gate of the Tuljapur Devi Temple in Solapur District.

The injured have been admitted toa local hospital for treatment.

Navratri', which means nine nights, is celebrated twice every year in honour of Hindu goddess Durga.

Most of the Hindu devotees observe fasts during the nine days and offer fruits and flowers to the goddess in worship.

The festival lasts for nine days in honour of nine manifestations of Durga, goddess of power, and fall in the months of April-May and September-October.

It is believed that during the Navratri, goddess Durga descends on Earth to rid it of the demons and blesses her devotees with happiness and prosperity.

On the tenth day people celebrate Dussehra, which marks the triumph of good over evil.

According to Hindu mythology, on this day, Lord Rama killed the demon king Ravana.