13 injured in fire at Ujjain’s Mahakal temple, 8 shifted to Indore for further treatment

INDORE, NEW DELHI: Eight people who sustained burn injuries in a fire that broke out inside the ‘Garbhagriha’ (sanctum sanctorum) of the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain on Monday morning have been shifted to a hospital in Indore for treatement, an official said.

Thirteen people were injured in the fire that broke out during the Bhasma Aarti in the ‘Garbhagriha’ of the temple this morning during celebrations to mark Holi. The injured including priests and temple staff, including the Chief priest of Bhasma Aarti, Sanjay Guru were admitted to hospitals in Ujjain and Indore, Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh said.

#WATCH | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh | 13 people injured in a fire that broke out in the 'garbhagriha' of Mahakal Temple during bhasma aarti today. Holi celebrations were underway here when the incident occurred. The injured have been admitted to District Hospital.

(Earlier visuals… pic.twitter.com/cIUSlRirwo

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2024

Singh said, “Eight injured in the fire incident at Ujjain’s Mahakal temple have been brought to Aurobindo Hospital for treatment. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is monitoring and he himself will reach Aurobindo Hospital in some time to meet the injured”. All the injured persons are out of danger and complete arrangements have been made for their treatment here, the collector added.

‘Bhasma aarti’ (offering with ashes) is a famous ritual here. It is performed during the ‘Brahma Muhurta’ between around 3:30 and 5:30 in the morning.

Meanwhile, state cabinet ministers Kailash Vijayvargiya, and Tulsi Ram Silawat along with district collector Ashish Singh met the injured in the hospital and took stock of the arrangements.

Vijayvargiya posted on X, “Right now I am in Aurobindo Hospital, Indore. Eight priests sustained burn injuries due to the fire incident in the Mahakal Temple complex in Ujjain have been shifted here. All are fine by the grace of Baba Mahakal.” The minister also urged people to pray for the recovery of the injured.

Earlier, priest Ashish Sharma saId, “The traditional Holi celebrations were being held in Mahakal Temple. The fire spread in ‘Garbhagriha’ due to ‘gulaal’. Priests of the temple got injured. We have rushed them to the hospital…”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah wished for the speedy recovery of the people, who sustained burns in a fire that broke out during the Bhasma Aarti at the sanctum sanctorum of Ujjain’s Mahakal temple on Monday morning.

Taking to his official handle on X, the Union Home Minister informed that he spoke to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in light of the incident, adding that all necessary assistance was being provided to the injured.

“Talked to Chief Minister Shri @DrMohanYadav51 and got information regarding the fire incident in Shri Mahakal Temple of Ujjain. The local administration is providing assistance and treatment to the injured. I pray to Baba Mahakal for the speedy recovery of the injured”, Shah posted from his official X handle.

CM Yadav, also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured in the fire, saying he is in constant touch with the local administration.

“The accident that happened this morning during Bhasma Aarti in the sanctum sanctorum of Baba Mahakal temple is sad. I have been in touch with the administration since this morning. Everything is under control. It is a prayer to Baba Mahakal that all the injured get a complete recovery soon”, Chief Minister Yadav posted from his official handle on X.

Meanwhile, Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh said he has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and has asked the investigating committee to hand in its report within three days. As per an official statement, the incident will be probed by Chief Executive Officer District Panchayat Mrinal Meena and Additional Collector Ujjain Anukul Jain.

Holi festivities at the popular Mahakaleshwar temple descended into chaos earlier in the day after a fire broke out during the Bhasma Aarti at the ‘garbagriha’ of the shrine, officials said. As many as 13 people, including priests and temple staff, were injured in the incident. Among the injured was the chief priest Sanjay Guru, who was presiding over the Bhasma Aarti. Those injured in the incident were rushed to the Ujjain district hospital for treatment.

“The fire broke out during Bhasma Aarti at the garbhagriha. Thirteen people were injured in the incident and are currently under treatment”, the district collector said. (ANI)