On September 30, 2008, a stampede at a temple in the western Indian town of Jodhpur killed at least 224 people, after rumors of a bomb sparked panic.FOX News: 168 Killed in Stampede at Hindu Temple in India (September 30, 2008) Associated Press: Death toll rises to 224 in Indian temple stampede (October 2, 2008) 12,000 people had been squeezed into the temple for the festival of Navratra, which honors the Hindu mother goddess Shakti.FOX News: 168 Killed in Stampede at Hindu Temple in India (September 30, 2008) The night before, there had been a bomb attack in the city of Malegaon. Stampedes are relatively common at Hindu temples in India.FOX News: 168 Killed in Stampede at Hindu Temple in India (September 30, 2008)

On August 3, 2008, at least 145 people were killed in a stampede at the Naina Devi Temple in northern India.CNN.com: 145 killed in India temple stampede The worshippers had gathered at the mountaintop temple to celebrate the nine-day festival of the Hindu Goddess Shakrti.Associated Press: Stampede kills 145 at remote Hindu temple in India (August 3, 2008)

Police say the stampede was caused by the rumor of a landslide. In a panic, celebrants rushed for a narrow mountainside pathway at once. A metal railing along the mountain collapsed, sending several people over the edge.AFP: 'At Least 123 Dead' in Temple Stampede in North India (August 3, 2008)