A major fire erupted at the iconic Shiv temple, also known as Maharani temple, early Wednesday in Gulmarg town of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the complete burning down of the roof. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, according to officials.
The fire tenders were unable to reach the site promptly, leading to the complete engulfment of the roof and some damage to the structure, as per officials.
Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah has urged the administration to restore the temple. He stated, “Very sorry to hear about the fire in Gulmarg that seriously damaged the famous Shiv Mandir. I hope the administration quickly establishes the cause of the fire & reconstructs this place of great religious (and tourist) significance as soon as possible.”
Locals reported that the fire intensified due to strong winds and the temple’s location atop a hillock in Gulmarg. Built in 1915 for the Maharani of Jammu and Kashmir and Maharaja Hari Singh’s wife Mohini Bai, the temple has historical significance and has also served as a filming location for Bollywood movies in the early 1980s.