Ancient Boddh Temple reduced to ashes

Shimla, July 15 (UNI) The historic Boddh Temple at Ribba in Kinnuar district of Himachal Pradesh was completely gutted in a devastating fire that broke out late last night, police sources today said.

Rare idols of great archeological significance, artifacts, and 170 has written religious books were reduced to ashes as the heavily timbered 10th centurey ancient temple went up in flames.

The sources said the main idol of Lord Buddha was saved but scores of Buddhists paintings and murals sketched by lamas from time to time were completely destroyed. The temple was constructed by Locha Rimpoche in the 10th AD century.

Some of the paintings and murals were of the 9th and 10th century while some religious books were scripted on ''Bhojpatra'', the sources said.

The idols of hyfren, brrajvani, tara, dolna and some other gods could not be saved.

The sources said the cause of the fire could not be ascertained but the loss was estimated to be at over Rs 12 crores.

Local MLA Jagat Singh Negi who visited the temple along with officers of district administration expressed deep shock over the incident and said that an enquiry would be held to find the cause of the fire.

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