The Holi celebrations at the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain took a tragic turn early on Monday, March 25, as a fire broke out in the 'garbhagriha' (sanctum sanctorum) during the Bhasma Aarti ceremony in the morning, news agency ANI reported. Fourteen priests, along with their assistants, sustained injuries in a blaze that erupted during the 'bhasma aarti' ceremony at the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday, according to an official.
According to District Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh, the fire erupted while offering Bhasma Aarti, a ritual involving holy ash. "The fire broke out during bhasma aarti in the 'garbhagriha'," informed Singh, adding that they are receiving medical treatment at the District Hospital.
Speaking about the incident, 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..."
Meanwhile, a fire broke out at a godown in Delhi's Alipur. As many as 25 fire tenders are on the spot to extinguish the fire.
Further details regarding the incident are awaited.