Shivneri Fort Crowd Causes Injuries During Shivaji Jayanti on February 19 2026

On February 19, 2026, many people were injured at Shivneri Fort during Shivaji Jayanti celebrations. This is more than usual for such events.
By Newsroom | Incidents, Maharashtra |

Key Information:

  • What: Injuries occurred at Shivneri Fort during Shivaji Jayanti celebrations.

  • When: Early hours of Thursday, February 19, 2026.

  • Where: Shivneri Fort, Junnar taluka, Pune district, Maharashtra.

  • Why: Overcrowding at narrow entry and exit points, described by some as a "stampede-like situation."

  • Injuries: Multiple individuals, including women and children, sustained injuries. The number of injured varies across reports, ranging from three to an unspecified "several."

Circumstances of the Event

Thousands of people gathered at Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, to mark his birth anniversary. Devotees had been arriving since the previous morning, with visits continuing through the night for darshan (viewing). The event involved rituals and processions, with some groups carrying ceremonial torches (Shiv Jyot).

Pune: What actually happened at Shivneri Fort that left 30 injured on Shivaji Jayanti? - 1

Around 3:30 AM, near the Meena Darwaja, a situation escalated due to the large number of people at narrow passages. Some reports suggest that a devotee slipped, leading to others falling and sustaining injuries. This event is described as a "stampede-like situation" or simply "crowding" by different sources.

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Official Statements and Clarifications

Pune Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandeep Singh Gill stated that a large number of people were visiting the fort and that darshan continued throughout the night. He clarified that "there was no stampede at all." According to SP Gill, "one of them slipped and fell," leading to a few injuries. He indicated that police personnel present assisted the injured and managed the movement of people.

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Reports of Injuries and Causes

Multiple reports indicate that several people were injured, with some specifying women and children among them. The causes cited include:

Pune: What actually happened at Shivneri Fort that left 30 injured on Shivaji Jayanti? - 4

  • Overcrowding: A common theme across reports is the immense crowd that gathered for the event.

  • Narrow Entry and Exit Points: Specific locations like Hathi Darwaza and Ganesh Darwaza below Amberkhana are mentioned as areas where congestion occurred.

  • A Slipping Incident: Some accounts point to an individual slipping on the stairs as the initial trigger.

  • Inadequate Crowd Management: Several reports suggest a struggle to manage the large numbers, with some mentioning limited police presence in relation to the crowd size, leading to tense moments.

Actions Taken

  • Injured individuals were promptly evacuated and transported to the government hospital in Junnar for medical attention.

  • Police personnel on-site assisted the injured and worked to ensure the smooth movement of people.

  • The situation was brought under control by the police.

Community Concerns and Demands

Following the incident, there are demands for:

  • A permanent crowd management system at Shivneri Fort.

  • Better planning of entry and exit routes.

  • A stronger police presence during large-scale celebrations to prevent future mishaps.

Conflicting Descriptions of the Event

DescriptionSources
StampedeArticle 2, Article 5, Article 6, Article 8
Stampede-like situationArticle 5, Article 7, Article 8, Article 9
Crowding incidentArticle 4
Chaos due to overcrowdingArticle 1, Article 3, Article 6, Article 7

Expert Analysis (Attributed)

Pune Rural SP Sandeep Singh Gill told ANI: "…If you look at the Shiv Janmasthan here, on top of the Shivneri Fort in Junnar, a large number of people have been coming here for darshan since yesterday morning and darshan continued throughout the night."

Pune Rural SP Sandeep Singh Gill told ANI: "…As per Gill, there was no stampede."

Pune Rural SP Sandeep Singh Gill told The Indian Express: "There was no stampede at all. But one of them slipped and fell."

Conclusion and Implications

The event at Shivneri Fort on Shivaji Jayanti resulted in injuries amidst a very large gathering. While officials state there was no stampede, descriptions of a "stampede-like situation" and "chaos due to overcrowding" are prevalent in media reports. The incident highlights the challenges of managing massive crowds at historically significant but potentially infrastructure-limited sites. The number of injured, though not definitively quantified across all reports, is acknowledged to be multiple. The differing accounts emphasize the need for clarity on the precise nature of the incident and underscore community calls for improved safety and management protocols for future events at Shivneri Fort.

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Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened at Shivneri Fort on February 19, 2026?
Many people got hurt at Shivneri Fort during Shivaji Jayanti celebrations. This happened early on Thursday morning due to too many people in small spaces.
Q: Why were people injured at Shivneri Fort?
The fort was very crowded, especially at the narrow gates. Some reports say someone fell, causing others to fall and get hurt in what some called a stampede-like situation.
Q: Who was hurt at Shivneri Fort on Shivaji Jayanti?
Several people, including women and children, were injured. They were taken to the hospital in Junnar for treatment.
Q: Did a stampede happen at Shivneri Fort on February 19, 2026?
Police said there was no stampede. They explained that one person slipped, and a few people got hurt because of it. However, some news reports described it as a stampede-like situation due to the large crowd.
Q: What happens next after the Shivneri Fort incident?
People want better plans for managing crowds at the fort. They are asking for more police during big events to stop injuries from happening again.