Massive Fire Guts Mahayagna Pandal in Ayodhya; No Casualties Reported

AYODHYA– A massive fire broke out today at the site of the grand Lakshmi Narayan Mahayagna at Rajghat, sending shockwaves through the temple city. The blaze, which erupted late in the afternoon, completely destroyed the sprawling pandal and the 1,251 havan kunds (sacrificial fire pits) prepared for the ritual.

The fire started shortly after the day’s concluding ceremonies at the Rajghat grounds, located approximately 800 metres from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. Eyewitnesses reported that the flames spread with alarming speed, fueled by the dry wooden structures and decorative materials of the massive pavilion. Within minutes, the entire site was engulfed in thick black smoke visible from across the Sarayu River.

Local fire tenders and disaster management teams reached the spot within ten minutes. Security forces immediately cordoned off the area, urging the thousands of gathered devotees to disperse and move toward the riverfront for safety.

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“The priority was evacuation,” stated a senior district official. “Fortunately, most of the crowd had begun moving toward the exit gates just as the sparks were first noticed. Our teams managed to contain the fire before it could reach nearby permanent structures or residential pockets.”

Preliminary reports from the Chief Medical Officer’s office confirm that there have been no fatalities or serious injuries. A few individuals were treated on-site for minor smoke inhalation and minor scrapes sustained during the rush to exit. While the spiritual loss of the meticulously prepared Mahayagna site is significant, the physical damage is limited to the temporary event infrastructure.

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The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities are looking into whether a short circuit in the extensive lighting system or an unextinguished ember from the ritual fires triggered the blaze.

The Ayodhya administration has requested pilgrims to remain calm and follow designated routes for evening Aarti at the Sarayu Ghats, assuring that the situation is now fully under control and that temple darshan schedules remain unaffected.