Fire during Bhasma Aarti in garbhagriha of Ujjain’s Mahakal Mandir; probe ordered
In a tragic incident, A fire broke out in the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) of Ujjain’s Mahakal Mandir in Madhya Pradesh on Monday morning, injuring 13 priests. The incident took place during the ‘bhasma aarti’.
Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh confirmed the incident. He said a magisterial probe had been ordered into the incident.
‘Thirteen 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.
According to eyewitnesses, ‘gulal‘ was being thrown inside the sanctum sanctorum as part of the Holi celebration. Someone threw the coloured gulal on an earthen lamp. They believe chemicals inside gulal may have triggered the fire.
The chief priest of Bhasma Aarti, Sanjay Guru, is among those injured. The condition of nine people is said to be critical. They have been referred to Indore.
Ujjain superintendent of police Pradeep Sharma told HT: “One of the injured informed said that someone threw gulal on priest Sanjeev from behind while he was performing the aarti. The gulal fell on the lamp. It is believed that there was some chemical in the gulal which caused the fire.”
Union Minister Amit Shah reacted to the unfortunate incident. He said the local administration is providing treatment to the injured.
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Carelessness on ensuring fire safe practices.