Saptarishi statues damaged by strong winds, rains at Ujjain corridor

Six out of the seven Saptrishi statues have been displaced from their pedestals, and two have been damaged

UJJAIN | Updated: 29 May, 2023 1:03 pm IST

The damaged statues will replaced by the contractor, authorities said.

UJJAIN: The serene atmosphere of the Mahakal Lok Corridor was shattered on Sunday afternoon as powerful winds and rain wreaked havoc on revered Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

The giant statues of the Saptarishis, the seven celestial sages of Hindu belief, bore the brunt of the devastation, with several statues toppling to the ground and others suffering damage to their hands and heads.

Despite a large gathering of devotees at the Mahakal Lok on weekend, there were no reported casualties resulting from the incident.

The Mahakal Lok Temple corridor was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2022.

Six out of the seven Saptrishi statues have been displaced from their pedestals, and two have been damaged. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the displacement.

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan promptly engaged with the Ujjain collector and divisional commissioner to address the situation.

“Since these statues were still within the initial five-year defect liability period, the company responsible for their creation and installation will replace them as soon as possible,” stated Ujjain collector Kumar Purushottam.

“We have safely relocated the displaced and damaged statues using a crane. An audit of the remaining statues, made from the same FRP (fibre-reinforced plastic) material, will be conducted promptly, and responsibility for the displacement of the six statues will be determined,” he added.

Opposition Congress party raised concerns about major irregularities in the construction work of the temple corridor and demanded strict action against those responsible for the substandard craftsmanship.

The BJP countered these claims, accusing Congress of engaging in politics and creating confusion without presenting any concrete evidence.

The Mahakal Lok corridor, one of the longest in the country, spans the rejuvenated old Rudrasagar Lake as part of the comprehensive redevelopment project surrounding the Mahakaleshwar temple, one of the 12 ‘jyotirlingas’ in India.

Stretching over 900 meters, this grand corridor stands as one of India’s most extensive structures of its kind. It houses 200 idols of Lord Shiva and was constructed at an approximate cost of Rs 850 crore, offering pilgrims visiting the ancient Mahakaleshwar Temple a world-class experience.

The Mahakaleshwar Temple, revered as one of the 12 ‘jyotirlings’, attracts devotees year-round.