A tragic incident unfolded at the revered Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on Friday evening as a boundary wall collapsed due to heavy rainfall. The collapse claimed the lives of two individuals, and several others are feared trapped under the debris. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to reach those who may be injured or trapped.
Ashok Patel, Chief Medical Officer, confirmed that four individuals were brought to the hospital, with two succumbing to their injuries. The other two are currently undergoing treatment.
Expressing his condolences, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath conveyed his sorrow over the incident, stating that the wall near Gate No. 4 of the temple had collapsed, leading to the deaths and injuries. He wished a speedy recovery for those injured.
This incident comes just months after another tragedy struck the temple in March. A fire in the ‘garbha griha’ (sanctum sanctorum) during the ‘bhasma aarti’ resulted in injuries to 14 priests and assistants.
The Mahakal Temple is a renowned pilgrimage site and attracts thousands of devotees, particularly on special occasions such as Hartalika Teej. This month, a large number of devotees flocked to the temple to offer prayers and participate in the special Bhasma Aarti.
Bhasma Aarti, a significant ritual performed at the temple, involves offering ashes during the ‘Brahma Muhurta’ between 3:30 and 5:30 in the morning. It is believed that participating in this ritual fulfills the wishes of devotees.
The recent wall collapse at the Mahakal Temple serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather events and the importance of ensuring safety measures at such revered sites.
