Divine Intervention Saves Kolkata's Oldest Fire Temple from Inferno
In what many are calling a miraculous escape, Kolkata's oldest fire temple, standing for nearly two centuries, survived a devastating fire that consumed over 100 shops surrounding the historic structure on Ezra Street in central Kolkata. The blaze, which erupted in the early hours of November 15, threatened to destroy the 184-year-old Parsi place of worship but left it remarkably intact.
Historical Significance and Miraculous Survival
Established in 1839 by Parsi businessman, shipbuilder, and philanthropist Rustomjee Cowasjee Banajee, the fire temple had been largely forgotten by the public after it ceased functioning half a century ago. Initially, fire officials and photographers reported seeing plumes of smoke rising through the temple's roof as surrounding shops were reduced to cinders, leading to fears that the heritage structure had been gutted.
However, in a remarkable turn of events, the temple emerged from the ashes with minimal damage. The lime mortar building suffered only exterior wall plaster flaking off in some sections due to the intense heat. Crucially, the thick walls, giant Tuscan pillars, Doric pilasters, and roof all withstood the inferno.
Sanctum Sanctorum Remains Pristine
A damage assessment revealed that the temple's most sacred spaces survived completely untouched. The sanctum sanctorum remained intact along with the Afargan - the ceremonial urn where the sacred fire used to be placed. Even the delicate Italian tiles on the walls were found in good condition.
Although a wooden beam collapsed after being seared by fire, it didn't cause structural damage because steel joists had been recently installed to reinforce the roof. Evidence showed that repair work had been underway before the fire struck, with steel scaffolding still in place around the Pavi (the wall surrounding the sanctum sanctorum).
Shopkeepers' Extraordinary Contribution to Preservation
In a heartening display of community responsibility, the very shopkeepers whose businesses were destroyed in the fire had been actively involved in preserving the temple. Iftekar Hussain, a functionary at the shop-owners' association, revealed that over 100 shopkeepers had collectively contributed between Rs 30,000 and Rs 1 lakh each, spending approximately Rs 80 lakh on restoration work over the past two and a half months.
"The market that existed in the Parsi temple complex prior to the fire sustained the livelihood of several thousand people," Hussain explained. "We felt that we could not flourish at the expense of the temple's decline. Since the civic body expressed inability to repair the temple owing to a funds crunch, we raised money voluntarily and started repairs."
Tragically, the fire struck just as the external repairs were completed on November 14, with only finishing touches like polishing the marble floor and painting the wrought iron railings remaining.
Future Plans and Historical Context
Despite suffering losses estimated at over Rs 100 crore, the traders have committed to restoring the temple once again while rebuilding their own shops and lives. Md Islam (87), who claims to have looked after the property for 45 years, announced plans to leave a 5-foot passage around the temple and prevent any future encroachment on the historic walls or vaults.
"Cursetjee Manackjee Rustomjee, the last trustee who used to visit the temple regularly, was kind to us, and this is our way of repaying the kindness," Islam stated.
Prochy Numi Mehta, author of 'Pioneering Parsis of Calcutta' and someone who had her Navjote ceremony at the temple in 1961, expressed relief at the temple's survival. "It seems that the temple had divine protection," she remarked.
While the Kolkata Municipal Corporation heritage department has confirmed the building's survival, they recommend structural integrity checks by engineers to determine if any reinforcements are needed to ensure the historic temple's long-term preservation.
