JAMMU: In an unfortunate incident on Tuesday morning, Shri Ranbireshwar Temple faced natural damage due to excessive rains and a thunderstorm. The temple will reopen soon after a comprehensive structural survey of the entire complex, said President of J&K Dharmarth Trust looking after temples consyructed by rulers in J&K.
The historic Shri Ranbireshwar temple dedicated to lord Shiva is located on Shalimar Road opposite to New Secretariat Complex and was built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1883.
There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the incident while the personnel of J&K Police, J&K State Disaster Relief Force, Fire Services and the Civil Defence swiftly responded to the emergency. The Mayor of Jammu and other government officials also rushed to the spot and assuring all possible help in the restoration efforts.
In an official statement issued here today, Brig (Retd) R S Langeh, President of J&K Dharmarth Trust, said, "the incident occurred at 9:15 AM today when a lightning bolt possibly struck the temple, causing significant impact to the front outer veranda.
"Remarkably, due to Lord Shiva's grace, the lightning strike resulted in no harm to the inner sanctum of the temple. Nandi ji- guarding the temple, took the full impact of the strike, shielding the main temple and preventing any harm to the temple's sacred artifacts, including the Shivlings and Shaligrams," he said, adding, "Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported to any devotee or temple employee."
President of J&K Dharmarth Trust said, "As heavy rains and the thunderstorm had prevented devotees from being present at the time of the incident."
"The Trustees of J&K Dharmarth Trust, headed by Chairman Trustee, Hon’ble Dr Karan Singh, expressed their dismay and deep concern over the temple's partial collapse of the peripheral veranda and pledged to restore the damaged portion as soon as possible, ensuring that citizens can once again have Darshan and perform Pooja of Lord Shiva at this sacred place at the earliest," President of Dharmarth Trust added.
He added that the Trustees, M K Ajatshatru Singh and Rajkumar Ranvijay Singh personally inspected the damage and assured the public that a comprehensive audit of all temples under the Dharmarth Trust's purview will be conducted by a dedicated committee."
"They also paid their respects to the deities inside and offered the traditional Bhog."
"The Trust's President asserted that the Dharmarth Trust is continuously monitoring the conditions of all temples under its purview and carry out periodic repairs and maintenance as necessary."
"The incident is an unfortunate natural calamity, and the Dharmarth Trust assured the public that the temple will be reopened after a comprehensive structural survey of the entire complex, President of J&K Dharmarth added.
Meanwhile Mayor Rajinder Sharma said, “We will conduct a dimension stability audit of all of the religious places in Jammu. Instructions have been given to the JMC commissioner to conduct the audit of all temples, mosques, gurdwaras, churches and other religious places."
