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Historic Mahakal Dwar Collapses in Ujjain
6 Sep
Summary
- Historic Mahakal Dwar in Ujjain collapsed late Saturday night.
- Restoration and road construction were underway when it fell.
- An inquiry is investigating the cause of the collapse.
The historic Mahakal Dwar in Ujjain, located near the Mahakaleshwar temple, collapsed late Saturday night. This significant heritage structure, an ancient link to Ramghat, fell without any reported casualties. The incident occurred while restoration work, including the construction of a retaining wall, and excavation for a Rs 22-crore road project were in progress.
Smart City officials are investigating the collapse, with preliminary findings suggesting ground settlement as a likely cause, potentially intensified by recent rainfall. An inquiry is underway to assess the quality of the restoration work, nearby excavation activities, and the prevailing ground conditions.
The gateway, estimated to date back to the early 14th century, is being rebuilt using traditional lime technology. Artisans are employing historic mixtures of lime, jaggery, and other natural materials. The structure, constructed from basalt stone and bricks, features an arched entrance and stone steps. It has undergone restoration in previous periods, including during Scindia rule and before the 2004 Simhastha Kumbh.
