Bollywood superstar Salman Khan made a visit to the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja idol in Mumbai's Sabarmati area on Monday evening for Ganesh Chaturthi darshan, but the occasion was overshadowed by chaos as a thunderous crowd descended upon his vehicle.
According to multiple reports, Salman arrived at the temple premises amid heightened security arrangements. The actor, who has been a regular at the temple over the years, stepped out of his car but was immediately engulfed by a sea of devotees eager to catch a glimpse of him. The crowd surged forward with such force that it became nearly impossible for security personnel to maintain order around the vehicle.
Viral videos from the scene captured the intensity of the moment, showing people pressing close to the car and appearing to stumble or fall as the crowd pressed inward. In one particularly troubling clip, a couple walking near the vehicle seemed to be hit or jostled hard by the surging masses, with the woman appearing to injure her leg. The incident raised concerns about safety at the crowded event.
Lalbaugcha Raja, officially known as Pratham Pisapati, is one of the most popular Ganesh idols in Mumbai and draws lakhs of devotees during the nine-day festival. The temple area often sees massive footfalls, and managing such enormous crowds has increasingly become a challenge for authorities.
Mumbai Police and temple management had deployed additional security staff to manage the crowds, but even these measures struggled to contain the surge when a celebrity of Salman's stature arrived. Officials have since acknowledged the difficulty in controlling such situations during peak festival hours.
No serious injuries were reported from the incident, though those affected received basic first aid at the scene. Salaman Khan reportedly completed his darshan and left the premises, though the episode highlighted ongoing concerns about public safety at Mumbai's religious events.
