AMARAVATI: Temple owner Hari Mukunda Panda has reacted to the stampede that killed people at Venkateswara Swamy temple in Andhra Pradesh. The accident occurred during Ekadashi celebrations at the temple in Kasibugga in Srikakulam district. Nine people died and nine others were injured in the stampede.

There were allegations that the temple authorities did not inform the local administration about the event, which led to an increase in the scale of the disaster. However, Panda responds that there was no need for that. 'I built the temple on my private land. Why should I inform the police or the government?" he asked the media.

The temple was built by 94-year-old Hari Mukunda Panda four months ago. The temple is known as Chinna Tirupati or Mini Tirupati, modelled after the Venkateswara Swa

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