At least 14 priests were reported injured in a fire that broke out at the Mahakal Temple in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain on Monday during 'bhasma aarti'. The blaze took place in the 'garba griha' (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple, Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the incident and said 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," a post on microblogging platform X by Prime Minister's Office (PMO) read.
The priests suffered burn injuries and were being treated in the district hospital in Ujjain, Singh said, adding that a magisterial probe has been ordered. Chief priest of Bhasma Aarti, Sanjay Guru, was also injured in the incident.
Witnesses said the fire broke out while 'gulal' (coloured powder used during rituals ands Holi) was being thrown as part of a religious ceremony.
"The incident took place at 5.50 am, while the 'bhasma aarti' was about to end and the 'kapur aarti' was about to begin," news agency PTI quoted Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh as saying.
"Fourteen priests suffered minor burn injuries. They were taken to the district hospital for treatment. Eight of them have been shifted to Indore. A magisterial probe has been ordered," Singh said..
Chemicals in Gulal May Have Caused Fire, Says Vijayvargiya
Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said the fire at the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain may have been caused by chemicals in 'gulal', a coloured powder used in rituals and during Holi.
"It seems all the injured at SAIMS are out of danger, But they will be under observation for the next 24 hours," news agency PTI quoted Vijayvargiya as saying. He was speaking to mediapersons after visiting the health facility where the injured were admitted.
"Every year, Holi is celebrated in Mahakaleshwar Temple by throwing gulal. Maybe, some chemical in the gulal caused the fire. However, we are not going to stop the tradition of playing Holi with Lord Bholenath in Mahakaleshwar Temple," he said.
It will be ensured that no chemical laced gulal is used next time, he added.
Vijayvargiya said the offices of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have inquired about the health condition of the injured persons.
