All the victims were women, while more than a dozen people sustained injuries as a surge of devotees led to chaos at the temple in Maghra village.

A massive crowd had gathered at the shrine on the last Tuesday of the month of Chaitra, a day considered auspicious by devotees.

Disturbing visuals from the spot showed women lying unconscious on the ground as children cried for help amid the panic, with people struggling to find an escape route.

Local residents, along with police and administrative officials, rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations.

The injured were taken to a government hospital in Bihar Sharif, located around five kilometres from the temple.