Jhalawar, Sep 18 — A 40-year-old man from Jhalawar, Rajasthan, died after allegedly setting himself ablaze at the Maa Jwalamukhi Temple, a Shaktipeeth in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, on Thursday evening.
The deceased, identified as Ramdas, son of Gajanand, reportedly poured petrol on himself and set himself on fire outside the sanctum sanctorum around 7 p.m. He suffered burns over nearly 70 per cent of his body.
Temple staff and devotees present at the spot extinguished the flames with water. Ramdas was first taken to Jwalamukhi Hospital and later referred to Tanda Medical College, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
SP Dehra, Sandeep Dhaval, said police reached the temple after receiving information and began an investigation. A forensic team also visited the site and collected evidence. Police are examining all aspects of the incident, including the circumstances and possible reasons behind Ramdas’s act.
According to the 108 ambulance staff, Ramdas was conscious during the journey and identified himself. He told them he had come alone to offer prayers. Though he struggled to speak clearly, he continued to communicate his identity and other details.
Family members said Ramdas had left home around 15 months ago following a dispute. His uncle, Prahlad Chandel, said the family had searched for him at several places but failed to trace him. Attempts to contact him on his mobile phone were unsuccessful.
Ramdas’s father, Gajanand, died about 10 years ago. Ramdas had earlier run a scrap business and later operated a clothing store on Jail Road in Jhalawar. He was married to Saloni, a sanitation worker with the Jhalawar Municipal Council. The couple had a 12-year-old son, Rudra, while their daughter had died earlier.
Kotwali police informed family members of the incident on Thursday night, and they left for Himachal Pradesh.