Mahakal temple fire: ‘outside’ colours banned during Rangpanchami
Stringent safety measures, including a ban on colours from outside, have been announced by the Ujjain administration for the upcoming Rangpanchami celebrations at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh following the outbreak of a fire that left 14 priests injured.
Instead of colours procured externally, devotees will have to use herbal colours derived from palash flowers made specially for the March 30 festivities by the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee, said Ujjain District Dollector Neeraj Kumar Singh.
He added that the number of devotees taking part in the morning ‘bhasma arti’ on the day of Rangpanchami will be regulated to ensure safety.
At least 14 priests, including sevaks (servitors), were injured in a fire that broke out in the sanctum sanctorum of the Shiva temple in Ujjain early on Monday during the ‘bhasma aarti’ ritual. The accident raised concerns over the use of chemicallaced gulal (coloured powder) during rituals, with Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya suggesting a possible link between such substances and the outbreak of the fire.
“Every year, Holi is celebrated in Mahakaleshwar Temple by throwing gulal.
Maybe some chemical in the gulal caused the fire,” the Minister had said on Monday while adding that it will be ensured that no such substance is used in the future.
The State’s Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has assured a thorough investigation into the fire, including a probe into the presence of mica or other chemicals in the gulal.
Meanwhile, Dr. Vinod Bhandari from the Indorebased Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences said that four additional individuals affected by the fire had been admitted for treatment, bringing the total to 12. Several people were discharged after being administered firstaid in Ujjain, while the rest in hospital are “stable”.