A massive fire on Friday completely destroyed the nearly 200-year-old Gird Mata Temple, a revered shrine located atop a rock in Gird village, Bharmour. The wooden temple, known for its exquisite carvings of deodar cedar wood, was reduced to ashes within a short span after flames broke out around 3:30 pm. No casualties were reported, as the temple remains closed from December to April, keeping priests and devotees away.

Locals described the scene as tragic, with flames rapidly engulfing the finely crafted wooden structure. Marble, black stone, and brass idols housed within the sanctum were damaged, while the intricately carved exterior, a prime example of traditional Chamba temple art, was entirely destroyed. Preliminary estimates place the financial loss at several lakh rupees.

Khundel Panchayat Pradhan Ratna Thakur said the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, with an electrical short circuit suspected as a possible trigger. Villagers rushed to the site and tried to control the blaze using available resources, but the fire spread too quickly to save the historic structure. Their efforts continued late into the night amidst grief and distress.

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Bharmour MLA Dr. Janak Raj and Market Committee Chairman Lalit Thakur expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating that the district administration has been tasked with assessing the damage and initiating relief and restoration work. Senior IAS officer Onkar Chand Sharma also expressed profound grief, emphasizing the temple’s importance to local communities.

The Gird Mata Temple holds immense religious significance for the Gaddi tribe and other hill communities, forming an integral part of Chamba’s cultural heritage. Its destruction represents not only the loss of a sacred site but also a blow to the architectural and historical legacy of the region.

Restoration efforts are expected to begin soon, with authorities considering options to rebuild and preserve the temple’s traditional design. The incident has prompted calls from residents and heritage enthusiasts alike for improved safety measures at historic sites across Himachal Pradesh to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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