MP: Chemical-laden ‘gulal’ may have sparked Mahakal fire: Vijayvargiya

Fourteen priests, including sevaks (assistants), were injured in a fire that broke out in the Mahakal Temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain on Monday during “bhasma aarti”, an official said.

Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said the fire may have been caused by chemicals in gulal, a coloured powder used in rituals and during Holi.

How it happened

The blaze took place in the “garbha griha” (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple at 5.50 am, Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh said. “The fire started as gulal fell on the puja thali that contained burning camphor. It later spread on the floor and turned into a blaze,” he explained.

“Fourteen priests suffered burn injuries. Some are being treated in the district hospital, 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.

PM’s message

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X that the Mahakal temple fire was very painful and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

In a post made from the PMO India handle, he stated, “The incident that happened in Mahakal temple of Ujjain is very painful. I wish for the speedy recovery of all the devotees injured in this incident. The local administration is engaged in every possible help to the victims under the supervision of the state government.”

In a post on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he had spoken to the MP CM over the incident and said the local administration was ensuring all relief to the injured.

Victims stable

Talking to reporters in Indore, MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the PM spoke to him over phone and inquired about the health of those injured. President Droupadi Murmu also spoke to him about the incident over phone, Yadav added.

The President and PM have been informed that the victims, who sustained 30-35 per cent burns, are stable, Yadav said.

Did gulal contain chemical?

Yadav further said gulal has been used as a part of the temple’s bhasma aarti for “thousands of years” but it was unfortunate that the plate (thali) overturned, resulting in a fire.

“It will be investigated whether the gulal contained some chemical or any other such items. I have ordered a probe into the fire. Prima facie, it looks like there is no conspiracy behind the fire. A probe will clear all aspects,” the CM added.

Confusion over how fire started

Yadav told reporters earlier that clothes are put on the silver walls of the garbha griha to protect it from Holi colours, and it was not known whether the fire started after the aarti thali fell when gulaal was thrown on it or whether the gulal reacted to some chemical.

Yadav later said the injured will be given assistance of Rs 1 lakh each, as well as the best available treatment for free. The administration will take all efforts to ensure such an incident does not take place again, the CM added.

“Our first priority is to provide best treatment to the injured. There is no casualty by the grace of Mahakal. Doctors are facing a problem in finding burn injuries due to (Holi) colour on the skin,” Yadav said.

“No chemical-laced gulal next time”

Vijayvargiya told reporters after visiting the priests admitted to the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS) in Indore that all of them seemed out of danger. “But they will be under observation for the next 24 hours,” he added.

Dr Vinod Bhandari, president of SAIMS, told news agency PTI that eight of the injured have been admitted at his facility. “These eight persons have suffered 35 to 40 per cent burn injuries, and the condition of one of them is serious,” he said.

Vijayvargiya asserted that the incident would not affect the ritual. “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.

Caught on CCTV cameras

CCTV cameras installed in the temple have captured the incident, an official said.

“The fire started after gulal was thrown as part of a ritual on the occasion of Holi. It caused burn injuries to priests, who were rushed to the district hospital,” priest Ashish told reporters.

A large number of people, including some VVIPs, were present during the incident in the Nandi Hall in front of the sanctum sanctorum, but no injuries were reported among the devotees, officials said.

(With agency inputs)