Rising Ganga levels flood Maa Chandika temple sanctum during evening aarti in Munger

The Ganga river’s water level continued to rise on Friday, prompting flood warnings in the Munger district of Bihar. During the scheduled evening aarti at the revered Shaktipeeth Maa Chandika temple, water from the river breached the temple’s outer defenses and entered the garbhagriha, the innermost sanctum where the deity is housed.
Temple officials reported that the surge of water reached the sanctum shortly after the aarti began, prompting priests to halt the rituals and evacuate devotees to safety. Local authorities were dispatched to the site to assess damage and to coordinate emergency measures.
District administration officials confirmed that the rising river has put several low‑lying areas of Munger at risk of flooding, and they are monitoring the situation closely. They have urged residents near the riverbanks to remain vigilant and follow any evacuation instructions.
Preliminary checks indicated that the sanctum’s marble flooring and the deity’s idol suffered water exposure, but no structural collapse was reported. Restoration work is expected to begin once the water recedes and the area is declared safe.
The incident underscores the growing vulnerability of heritage sites in Bihar to extreme riverine flooding, a concern that experts say may intensify with changing climate patterns.