Curated By: Kavya Mishra
News18.com
Last Updated: March 25, 2024, 10:11 IST
Ujjain, India
All the injured people have been rushed to district hospital. (Image: Representative/PTI)
At least 14 people, mostly priests were injured in a massive fire that broke out in the Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain Mahakal Temple on Monday. The fire occurred during the early morning’s ‘bhasma aarti’, amid Holi celebration on the premises, an official said.
The blaze took place in the ‘garba griha’ (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple, Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh said.
“Fourteen priests suffered burn injuries. Some are being treated in the district hospital here, while eight have sought treatment in Indore. A magisterial probe has been ordered. It will be conducted by Zila Panchayat CEO Mrinal Meena and Additional Collector Anukool Jain and a report will be submitted in three days,” he said.
“The fire started as ‘gulal’ (coloured powder used during rituals) fell on the puja thali that contained burning ‘kapoor’ (camphor). It later spread on the floor and turned into a blaze,” he said.
The incident has been captured by CCTV cameras installed in the temple, an official said.
Eyewitnesses said the fire broke out while ‘gulal’ (coloured powder used during rituals and Holi) was being thrown as part of a religious ceremony.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he got a briefing of the situation from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and said the local administration would provide all the possible assistance to the injured.
Chief Minister Yadav also informed about the accident that happened this morning during Bhasma Aarti in the sanctum sanctorum of Baba Mahakal temple and expressed grief about the incident.
“I have been in touch with the administration since morning. Everything is under control. It is a prayer to Baba Mahakal that all the injured get complete recovery soon,” he wrote on X.
