Dating back to the 5th–8th century, the temple is regarded as an important Shakti Peeth associated with the legend of Goddess Bhagwati. Its destruction has dealt a major blow to the village’s religious heritage, particularly as the shrine had recently been restored under a government mission.
Local residents attempted to control the fire before firefighting crews arrived from distant locations. However, the response was hampered by the area’s difficult hilly terrain. Badiyakot village is located approximately 50 kilometres from Kapkot, making access challenging for emergency teams.
The fire destroyed the temple’s deodar wood structure, the idol and the prayer pavilion, causing extensive damage to the historic shrine. Despite residents’ efforts to contain the blaze, the fire resulted in the loss of key elements of the temple complex.
Officials are investigating the cause of the incident. Possible explanations under consideration include earthen lamps and electrical faults. The exact cause has not yet been established.
The incident has left the local community grieving the destruction of a shrine that holds religious and historical significance. The loss is particularly notable given the temple’s centuries-old origins, its association with Goddess Bhagwati and its recent restoration under a government mission.
The destruction of the Adi Badri Maa Bhagwati temple has raised concerns over the preservation of historic religious structures in remote mountainous areas, where difficult terrain can delay emergency response efforts.
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