AYODHYA, Mar 28 : A massive fire broke out at the venue of a ‘yagya’ organised by Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh in Ayodhya on Saturday, police said.
No casualties were reported in the incident, they said.
Local who participated in the rituals said the fire started when coconuts offered during the yagya — a ritual in which ghee, herbs and other offerings are placed in a consecrated fire — suddenly caught fire.
According to the police, the Shri Lakshminarayan Mahayagya was organised by Singh on the occasion of Ram Navami. The yagyashala was located about 800 metres from the Ram temple.
Eyewitnesses said the flames spread rapidly, engulfing the main yagyashala (offering area) within moments and triggering panic among devotees present at the ceremony.
Nearly a dozen fire tenders rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control.
In a statement, Singh said, “A fire suddenly broke out in the yagyashala. The fire brigade was already deployed there and it helped bring the blaze under control. There has been no loss of life and the situation is now under control.”
Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Grover said the fire was quickly contained and confirmed that no casualties were reported.
Officials sources said 1,251 havankund had been set up at the yagyashala on the banks of the Saryu River, where the final day of the mahayagya was being held.
A large number of devotees were present when the fire broke out but were safely evacuated from the pandal, the police said. (PTI)
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