Madurai sources have stated that a major fire broke out inside the premises of famous Meenakshi temple here in which at least 40 shops were gutted. Police said however no one was injured. Temple authorities ruled out any sabotage and said electrical short circuit in one of the shops selling pooja articles caused the fire late last night.
According to sources the blaze did not cause any damage to the sculptures inside the temple though many of it was covered in soot. Meanwhile all the sculptures in the 1000-pillared hall were saved by the timely intervention of the temple officials, workers and the fire and rescue service personnel. Further a team of fire extinguishers battled past mid night to put out the fire and bring the situation under control.
Temple officials said poojas would be held as per schedule, and cleaning
up of the eastern side of the temple would be done in three days. Moreover
various organisations including Hindu Baktha Jana Sabha, VHP and Hindu Munnani
had been demanding to vacate the shops from the temple premises and keep the
premises clean. Accordingly the District Collector Veera Raghava Rao, who was
at the temple told reporters that there was no need for panic, and devotees
could offer worship as usual.
