Two fire accidents at two important temples marked the Siva Ratri celebrations today in AP and devotees consider it as a bad omen.

The first fire accident took place in the Laddu making Kitchen (called Potu traditionally) at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanur. The fire, emanating from a stove, soon spread to other equipment and the entire kitchen, including thousands of Laddus kept for distribution among devotees, was reduced to ashes in no time.

Officials stopped darshan for an hour because of the incident and ordered an inquiry into the incident.

The second fire accident, also a major one, occurred in the mini commercial complex opposite Ram Bageecha Guest House near the Balaji temple on Tirumala and officials suspected short circuit as the main reason for the fire.

Dozens of shops were gutted in the fire and devotees ran helter-skelter with fear after the fire broke out. Several fire engines were pressed into service to extinguish the fire. The property loss was initially put at Rs.10 lakh.

5 devotees killed in stampede

Five devotees were killed in a stampede at the famous temple of Lord Siva at Junaghad in Gujarat this morning. Lakhs of devotees have visited this temple today on account of Maha Siva Ratri. (JUBS)