Late-Night Crowd Surge at Shivneri Fort During Shivaji Maharaj’s Birth Anniversary Injures Several Devotees

Several devotees injured in a crowd surge at Shivneri Fort in Pune during late-night Shivaji Maharaj birth anniversary celebrations; emergency response activated.

Pune | 19 February, 2026- A late-night crowd surge at Shivneri Fort in Junnar, Pune district during the birth anniversary celebrations of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj left several devotees injured in the early hours of Thursday as massive footfall strained crowd control at the historic site. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. near the Meena Darwaja gate when a group of devotees carrying a ceremonial torch were descending a narrow pathway amid a densely packed crowd. Police officials said that although thousands had gathered at the fort to mark the 396th anniversary of the Maratha king’s birth, the surge was triggered when one person slipped on the steep stairway and caused others behind him to fall. This series of falls resulted in three individuals sustaining injuries, primarily to their legs, but authorities emphasised that there were no fatalities and the situation did not escalate into a full-scale stampede.

Police on site quickly assisted the injured and coordinated with emergency responders to transport them to nearby hospitals, including the government facilities in Junnar, where they were reported to be receiving treatment and were stable. Additional law enforcement personnel were deployed to manage the dense crowd and ensure safe movement of devotees throughout the early morning hours. Officials clarified that the narrow staircases and passageways near the fort gates – particularly around Meena Darwaja- become natural choke points when the footfall spikes during major events, making crowd control complex.

Shivneri Fort attracts large crowds each year on February 19, the day associated with the birth of Shivaji Maharaj in 1630, and devotees often begin gathering from the previous night. The historic site’s steep steps and limited circulation space around entrances such as Hathi Darwaza and Ganesh Darwaza are known to challenge crowd management, especially when thousands of visitors converge simultaneously for night-long rituals and darshan. The tradition of carrying jyotis (ceremonial flames) and saffron flags as part of the celebrations adds to the dense gathering, testing the limits of logistics and safety measures in place.

Police officials at the fort noted that the group descending with the torch had been moving at a relatively fast pace amid heavy crowding. Despite advisories from law enforcement personnel on the ground to slow down, the slip incident set off a small chain reaction as some individuals fell, leading to injuries. “We have deployed additional police force and the movement of people is now taking place smoothly,” a senior police official said, emphasising that the situation was quickly brought under control.

The incident has reignited discussions about the importance of enhanced crowd management protocols at major cultural and religious gatherings, particularly at heritage sites with constrained access routes. Safety advocates and event planners have suggested widening key access points where feasible, bolstering barricades, improving signage, and using real-time monitoring to guide devotees safely through choke points. With large numbers of visitors expected throughout the day as celebrations continue, authorities are urging attendees to cooperate with security directives and avoid rushing through narrow sections.

Despite the injuries and momentary disruption, the main Shivjayanti commemorations continued as scheduled later in the morning, with security and administrative arrangements reinforced to handle crowd movement more effectively. The focus remains on ensuring that the historic occasion is celebrated with due reverence to Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all participants.

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