In Pics: How celebration turned into devastation at Puttingal temple in Kollam

Puttingal temple in the coastal town of Paravur located in Kollam District of Kerala which is about 60 kms from the capital city Thiruvananthapuram was celebrating its Meena Bharani festival on April 9, Saturday.

Meena Bharani Festival is celebrated in the Bharani Star day of Malayalam Month Meenam (Present year of Malayalam Era is 1191). April 9th was that auspicious day. Fireworks by two groups is part of the Meena Bharani Utsav which happened on April 9th, Saturday night.

But the celebrations soon took a tragic turn when the firewroks went horribly wrong and led to a massive fire, killing 112 devotees and leaving over 380 injured.

The tragedy occurred at about 3.30 am on Sunday when a spark from an firecracker landed on a building where a huge quantity of powerful firecrackers were stored, setting off massive explosions and a fireball that brought down the structure.

Here are some heart-wrenching pics of the fire mishap at Puttingal temple:

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

A man severely injured during fireworks tragedy at Puttingal temple in Kollam, Kerala.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

Dead bodies of a woman and a man lying on the accident site and people watching helplessly.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

Firecrackers loaded with gunpowder that was exploded during the prayers, that led to one of the biggest fire tragedy.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

People carrying a badly injured man for treatment.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

Locals and police officials inspect the aftermath of massive fire mishap at Puttingal temple in Kollam, Kerala.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

BJP President Amit Shah visits the district hospital to meet the victims of tragedy in Kollam Paravoor Puttingal temple on Sunday.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College to meet the victims of tragedy in Kollam Paravoor Puttingal temple on Sunday.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the district hospital to meet the victims of tragedy in Kollam Paravoor Puttingal temple on Sunday.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

Officials inspecting the scattered debris of temple.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

Locals gathered near the massive fire site at Puttingal temple in Kollam, Kerala.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the site of tragedy in Kollam Paravoor Puttingal temple on Sunday.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along-with Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy visits the site of the tragedy in Kollam Paravoor Puttingal temple on Sunday.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the site of the tragedy in Kollam Paravoor Puttingal temple on Sunday.

In Pics: Kerala Temple Fire Tragedy

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visits the site of tragedy in Kollam Paravoor Puttingal temple on Sunday.