Pithoragarh, Oct 16 (PTI) An ancient wooden temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati in the remote Badiyakot area of Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar district was gutted in fire on Friday, causing extensive damage to the historic structure.
The fire broke out in the morning at the renowned Ma Bhagwati temple, considered the patron shrine of the area. The cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained.
The temple was known across the region for its traditional wooden architecture and intricate carvings. The incident has left local residents and devotees grieving.
Administrative officials and teams from the departments concerned reached the site on Friday to assess the damage.
Locals suspect that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit or oil lamps lit by devotees inside the temple.
“The Badiyakot temple of Goddess Bhagwati in the Malla Danpur area, around 50 km from the Kapkot sub-divisional office, was seen in flames by devotees this morning. As there are no fire services available in this remote area, the temple continued to burn for hours before help could reach,” said Aan Singh, a resident of Badiyakot village.
“Everyone in the village is grieving as the temple, known for its intricate craftsmanship, was gutted during Navratri,” Singh added.
