Key Points
- The fire occurred at Rajghat during the Purnahuti (final offering) of a nine,day religious ceremony.
- Strong winds reportedly carried sparks from a sacrificial pit to the thatched roof of the Yagyashala.
- Three to four individuals sustained minor burns and are receiving medical treatment.
- Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh and local officials supervised the emergency response.
- Opposition leaders have called for an investigation into safety protocols at the large,scale event.
A day of spiritual celebration turned into a scene of chaos at Rajghat in Ayodhya on Saturday, March 28, 2026, when a fierce blaze erupted during the conclusion of the Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mahayajna. The incident, which took place during the highly anticipated Purnahuti (final offering), forced hundreds of devotees to flee for safety as flames quickly consumed the temporary structures at the site.
Cause and Rapid Escalation
The grand 108, Kundiya Mahayajna, was being held under the spiritual guidance of Swami Jiyar Ji Maharaj, with Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh presiding over the function. According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports from the fire department, the fire began on the thatched roof of the main Yagyashala.
High winds prevalent in the afternoon are believed to have carried a spark from one of the sacrificial fire pits to the dry roofing material. Due to the arid weather conditions, the fire intensified within seconds, spreading to a nearby Gaushala (cow shelter) and engulfing religious artifacts and infrastructure. The total financial loss is estimated to be in the lakhs, as most of the ornate sacrificial altars and the grand pandal were reduced to ashes.
Emergency Response and Casualties
The administrative response was immediate. Ayodhya District Magistrate Nikhil Tikaram Funde and SSP Dr. Gaurav Grover arrived at Rajghat shortly after the alarm was raised at approximately 3:30 PM. A fleet of ten fire tenders was deployed to battle the blaze, which had spread to multiple spots within the sprawling complex.
While the fire caused widespread panic, officials confirmed that a major tragedy was averted because the majority of devotees had shifted toward the peripheral areas of the site just before the flames peaked. Three to four people suffered minor burn injuries during the scramble and were promptly transported to a local hospital. Fortunately, no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported, providing a significant sense of relief to the administration.
Political Reaction and Safety Probe
The incident has already sparked a political debate regarding the safety of large religious gatherings. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed concern over the event’s management, questioning whether adequate fire safety experts were consulted during the construction of the massive thatched pavilions. He has called for a thorough investigation into the administrative oversight of the event.
In response, Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh stated that a technical team has been tasked with investigating the exact sequence of events. He emphasized that the priority remains the safety of the citizens and ensured that a comprehensive safety audit would be conducted for all future large-scale religious congregations in the temple city. By late Saturday evening, the fire was completely extinguished, though security personnel remain on site to monitor for any remaining hotspots.
