NARANGANJ: At least 10 pilgrims including seven women were killed when a stampede broke out during Astami Snan (ritual bath ceremony) of Hindu community in Langalband under Bandar Upazila of the district Friday morning.

The deceased were identified as Bhagabti Das of  Zigatala and Rakhi of Lalbag of the city, Nitai Chandra Das and Babul Bishwas of Madaripur, Ranjit Mallik of  Chandina, Kanon Bala of Daudkandi and Tusi Debnath of Meghna of of Comilla, Vanumati Das of Kabirhat of Noakhali and Malti Das of Manikgaj district.

The stampede broke out around 9:30am. Of the decease, one is 11-year-old minor girl.

District additional superintendent of police Sazzadur Rahman confirmed the matter to banglanews.

Thousands of Sanatan religion followers – male, female and children – perform their rituals at the two-day festival there every year, seeking divine blessings.

According to Hindu mythology, Parsuram, a saint killed his mother Amugha Devi by an axe at the order of his father Jamadagni. The axe clung on his hand as a mark of sin. At the order of the divinity, Parsuram bathed in the river Brahmaputra on this day of lunar month as the waterfall of the Himalayan peak joined the river Brahmaputra. The axe dropped from his hand and Parsuram freed from sin.

According to Hindu belief a dip in the river Brahmaputra on this day of lunar month one can get rid of the sin.

BDST: 1020 HRS/1043 HRS/ 1127 HRS, MAR 27, 2015