At least seven individuals sustained severe burns following a stampede-like incident triggered by a fire at the Atma Vishweshwar Mahadev Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, during an ‘Aarti’ ceremony held to celebrate Shravan Purnima on August 9, as reported by police on Sunday. They added that all victims are on the path to recovery.

The event occurred on Saturday evening during the ‘Aarti’.

The injured, which included two to three children, were taken to hospitals for medical attention. Authorities confirmed that all are out of danger and receiving necessary care.

The fire incident happened around 8 pm during the Saptarishi Aarti when the cotton decorations inside the temple unexpectedly ignited. The flames spread rapidly within moments.

At that time, over 30 individuals, including the temple priest, were present. In the ensuing chaos, devotees hurriedly exited the temple, resulting in several sustaining burns.

An eyewitness shared, “Every year on the full moon day of Sawan, the Atma Vishweshwar Mahadev Temple is elaborately decorated, and worship is conducted. This year, cotton was used for decoration to symbolize the Amarnath Temple. During the aarti, the cotton caught fire and spread swiftly.”

“Approximately 30 devotees were present when the fire erupted. They were evacuated quickly, and many suffered burns,” he recounted.

As flames erupted from the temple, nearby residents rushed in to assist, transporting the injured to the divisional hospital for treatment.

Upon receiving the alert, police from Chowk police station, along with a bike-mounted fire engine from the fire brigade, arrived at the scene.

Locals were able to extinguish the burning cotton by pouring water over it, according to police reports.

By 9:40 pm, first aid was being provided to the burn victims at the divisional hospital. The injured devotees are currently receiving treatment at Kabir Chauraha Divisional Hospital in Varanasi.