CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Devotees will not be allowed to bring colours from outside into Madhya Pradesh’s famous Mahakaleshwar temple during Rangpanchami on March 30, the administration has said in the wake of Monday’s fire.
At least 14 priests, including ‘sevaks’ (servitors), were injured in a fire that broke out in the sanctum sanctorum of the revered Shiva temple in Ujjain early on Monday during the ‘bhasma aarti’ ritual.
“Along with Holi, the festival of colours is also celebrated in the Mahakaleshwar temple on Rangpanchami. We have decided that Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee will arrange for herbal colour made from tesu’ (palash) flowers on Rangpanchami,” Ujjain District Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh told PTI on Tuesday.
“On Rangpanchami, no devotee will be allowed to bring colours into the temple premises from outside. The number of devotees on Rangpanchami will also be controlled during the ‘bhasma aarti’ held in the morning,” he said.
MP minister Kailash Vijayvargiya had expressed apprehension that the fire at the renowned temple might have been caused by chemicals in ‘gulaal’, a coloured powder used in rituals and during Holi.