At least 14 priests were injured after a massive fire broke out in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain Mahakal Temple on Monday. Officials said that the fire occurred during the early morning ‘bhasma aarti’ inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple on the occasion of Holi.
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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he hopes for a speedy recovery and added that the state administration will provide all possible assistance to the victims.
“The accident that happened in Mahakal temple of Ujjain is very painful. I wish for the speedy recovery of all the devotees injured in this accident. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in every possible help to the victims,” PM Modi said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he got a briefing about the situation from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and said the local administration would provide all the possible assistance to the injured.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also expressed grief over the incident and prayed for the safety and recovery of the victims.
“The fire accident in Shri Mahakal Temple of Ujjain is very sad. Prayers for the speedy recovery of all the priests injured in this accident,” Birla wrote on X.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya reached Indore District Hospital to meet the victims of the Ujjain Mahakaleshwar temple victims and Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. The chief minister also ordered a magisterial probe into the matter.
“It is all the blessing of god that it didn’t turn out in a major incident but whatever has happened, I have ordered a magisterial investigation and will ensure that these things won’t repeat. Action will be taken against those at fault,” Yadav said.
Yadav also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 lakh each for the victims.
Earlier, the chief minister expressed grief about the accident that happened this morning during Bhasma Aarti in the sanctum sanctorum of Baba Mahakal temple.
“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.
