JAMMU, June 5 : A portion of the wall of the nearly 200-year-old Gadadhar Temple collapsed outside the Mubarak Mandi heritage complex on Thursday after rainfall, sparking concern among locals who alleged that ongoing excavation and restoration work in the area contributed to the incident.
No casualties were reported.
The temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, was built during the reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh in the mid-19th century and is managed by the Dharmarth Trust.
Locals said a community feast (bhandara) had been held at the temple barely 10–20 minutes before the collapse. They expressed relief that the incident occurred after devotees had dispersed, saying it could have otherwise led to a major tragedy.
“By the god’s grace, no casualty was reported in the incident. Had it happened earlier, it could have resulted in a major tragedy,” said local resident Ram Magotra, adding that the narrow lane outside the temple is frequently used by residents, including children and elderly people.
Residents alleged that excavation work linked to the long-pending restoration of the Mubarak Mandi heritage complex, including construction of a parking facility, weakened the structure and led to the collapse. They also claimed repeated objections were raised about the manner in which digging was being carried out near heritage structures, but were ignored by authorities.
Following the incident, locals demanded a technical assessment to determine the exact cause of the collapse and urged authorities to secure the area to prevent further damage or accidents.
Magotra further alleged that deep excavation had been carried out without proper soil testing or structural stability checks of the old building. He also sought accountability from officials supervising the restoration work and raised concerns over reported plans for commercial facilities, including a restaurant, in the vicinity, saying public safety should not be compromised for development.
The Mubarak Mandi complex, the former royal residence of the Dogra rulers, has been undergoing conservation and restoration work for several years to preserve its historical and architectural heritage.
Authorities have not yet responded to the allegations made by locals.
