Jammu, June 8: A massive fire broke out inside the premises of Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon.
Quoting officials, news agency KNO reported that the fire emanated from the area where the cash-counter of the temple is situated.
Officials said that smoke appeared atop Trikuta hills, where the ancient temple is situated.
They said three employees of the temple were trapped in the fire but were timely rescued by security forces and fire tenders.
“The fire is under control and no person was injured,” said Ramesh Kumar Jangid, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra.
He added that the cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained.
Visuals show that the fire had broken out right at the center of the Vaishno Devi temple complex, which is located atop a huge mountain at Katra in Jammu.
Lakhs of pilgrims undertake the 14-km trek that involves a criss-cross path across the mountain-face. Pilgrims walk up, or take palkhis (palanquins), horses or even helicopters to reach the top.
But due to COVID restrictions, only 25000 pilgrims are allowed at Vaishno Devi per day.
The Vaishno Devi complex comprises a number of connected buildings very high up where there are numerous kitchens and sleeping halls, meant for the pilgrims who often stay overnight.