Pune:  Fire During Victory Bhandara Ceremony in Jejuri Leaves 16 Injured

Jejuri, Pune, December 21, 2025: A celebratory bhandara offering ceremony near the first step of the revered Khandoba Fort in Jejuri turned tragic on Sunday afternoon when a sudden fire broke out, leaving at least 16 people with burn injuries. The incident occurred shortly after the completion of vote counting and the declaration of local election results.

Following their victory, supporters and newly elected representatives of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) had gathered at the site to offer bhandara and seek blessings of Lord Khandoba. However, during the ritual, the *bhundara* powder being thrown into the air unexpectedly ignited and caused a blast-like flare-up, leading to chaos at the crowded spot.

Among those injured were newly elected NCP corporators Monika Rahul Ghadge and Swarupa Jalandar Khomne, along with Monika Ghadge’s husband, Rahul Ghadge. Several women were also injured in the incident, which took place around 3 pm.

The injured were immediately shifted to nearby government and private hospitals for urgent medical treatment. Police officials rushed to the scene soon after receiving information and carried out an on-site assessment to ensure the situation was brought under control and no further danger remained.

The injured have been identified as Rupali Khomne, Vilas Barbhai, Sanika Gadhave, Sanskar Galange, Deval Barbhai, Manisha Chavan, Rajani Barbhai, Swapnil Lakhe, Anil Barbhai, Ganesh Chavan, Nisha Dada Bhalerav, Laxmi Mauli Khomne, Monika Rahul Ghadge (newly elected corporator), Rahul Krishna Ghadge, Swarupa Jalandar Khomne (newly elected corporator), and Umesh Bhandalkar.

Calling the incident deeply unfortunate, Dr Khedekar, trustee of the Shree Martand Dev Sansthan Jejuri said the incident has injured 16 people and those injured severely have been shifted to hospitals in Pune through Martand devasthan ambulance. 

The fire was caused by highly inflammable and adulterated bhandara. He added that strict action would be taken against those selling adulterated ritual material and that the municipality would adopt stringent measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.