A stampede at the Sheetla Mata temple in Nalanda, Bihar, on March 31, 2024, resulted in the deaths of nine people, including Rekha Devi, who was celebrating her son Kundan Kumar's Class 12 exam success. The incident occurred during special prayers on the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month, when an estimated crowd of over 10,000 devotees overwhelmed the temple's capacity, which typically sees 500-1,000 visitors. Survivors and witnesses allege poor crowd management, blocked exits, and a lack of police presence contributed to the tragedy, with some accusing a priest of taking money to allow entry through an exit gate. In response, authorities suspended police officers, arrested four priests, and initiated a Special Investigation Team probe, while the Bihar Chief Minister and Prime Minister announced financial compensation for the victims' families.