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Ram Navami celebrations in India go awry: Fire at Andhra temple, floor sinks at Indore temple

Fire breaks out at a temple in West Godavari district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh during Ram Navami celebrations on Thursday, March 30, 2023. (Picture: Twitter screengrab/@pti)

By: Shubham Ghosh

A couple of untoward incidents happened in two temples in two Indian states at the time of Ram Navami celebrations to mark the birthday of Lord Rama.

A massive fire started in a pandal (temporary shelter set up for special occasions) which was put up for the celebrations in a temple in West Godavari district of the south-western state of Andhra Pradesh. The fire reportedly broke out due to a short circuit, India Today reported.

The incident happened at Venugopala Swamy Temple when the Ram Navami celebrations were in full swing. Panic ensued as peopel tried to flee the temple premises.

No injury was reported.

A video of the incident went viral on social media.

In another incident which took place at Shri Baleshwar Temple in Indore in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, several people got trapped after the floor covering a well at the temple sank during the celebrations, India Today reported.

Several videos were circulating on social media showing chaos and rescue operations that started at the temple after the accident.

Ten people were reportedly rescued.

India Today reported citing sources that the covering of the well crumbled after devotees stood on them inside the temple. Efforts were underway to rescue more people who were trapped.

Local people said ambulance and fire brigade services did not reach the spot on time.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asked the local authorities to speed up the rescue operations.

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