Century-Old Shiv Temple in Gulmarg Damaged by Fire
Early Wednesday, a massive fire ravaged the iconic Shiv temple, also known as the Maharani temple, situated in Gulmarg town of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the complete burning down of its roof. The cause of the fire remains unknown as officials are yet to ascertain it.
Unfortunately, fire tenders couldn’t reach the scene promptly, allowing the flames to engulf the roof entirely, causing significant damage to the structure. Expressing concern, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged the administration to expedite the restoration of the temple, emphasizing its religious and tourist significance.
The fire, fueled by strong winds and the temple’s elevated position atop a hillock, intensified rapidly, exacerbating the damage.
Constructed in 1915 for the Maharani of Jammu and Kashmir, Mohini Bai, wife of Maharaja Hari Singh, the temple holds historical and cultural importance. Additionally, it served as a filming location for Bollywood movies during the early 1980s, further adding to its cultural significance.
Author:- Apoorva Arora