Brahmagiri (Puri): A fire broke out on Thursday evening at the Jagannath Temple in Kandagoda village under Brahmagiri police limits, causing damage to the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra worshipped there.
According to reports, the temple priest had performed the evening rituals and returned home when, around 8:30 p.m., villagers noticed smoke billowing from inside the shrine. On breaking open the door, they found flames spreading within the sanctum.
The villagers quickly rushed to douse the fire with water and managed to bring it under control. However, the idols sustained damage in the incident.
Preliminary suspicion suggests the fire may have been triggered by negligence, possibly from a lit lamp left inside after the rituals. Police have taken note of the incident, and further inquiry is underway.
The mishap has left the local community deeply saddened, as the temple is central to the village’s religious life.
