Probe panel formed after fire at Kurukshetra Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra

A fact-finding committee has been formed to investigate a fire incident at the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra in Jyotisar, Kurukshetra, with no reported casualties.

The district administration has constituted a fact-finding committee to investigate the fire incident at the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra located in Jyotisar here, officials said on Monday.

The fire broke out on Sunday in the basement of Block B, where nearly 100 batteries connected to solar energy panels were stored, Honorary Secretary of the Kurukshetra Development Board Upender Singhal said.

No casualties were reported in the incident.

Technical Engineer of the Kendra, Gajinder, said more than 100 batteries and other gadgets stored in the basement were damaged in the blaze.

He said that about 15 tourists and 45 staff members were present at the centre when the fire broke out, but all were evacuated safely after the alarm was raised as the fire was confined to the basement.

Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar has constituted a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident.

The committee will examine the cause of the fire, assess the extent of damage, and submit its report within three days.

According to an official order, the committee will be headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Vivek Arya. It has been directed to submit its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Deputy Commissioner after completing the inquiry.

The Anubhav Kendra has been temporarily closed for tourists until the investigation is completed. Authorities said the centre will reopen only after necessary repairs and safety measures are ensured.

Officials said that preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit may have triggered the blaze, though the exact cause will be confirmed only after a detailed probe.

The committee will inspect the site and examine all records, reports, fire safety systems, and electrical infrastructure linked to the centre.

It will also determine whether any negligence or lapse on the part of officials or other concerned persons contributed to the incident and fix responsibility accordingly.

Officials said the panel has also been asked to recommend preventive and corrective measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents and strengthen fire safety arrangements across the premises.

The committee comprises the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer of Kurukshetra Development Board, Executive Engineer (Electrical) Ambala, District Fire Officer Kurukshetra, and representatives of the Haryana Tourism Department.

The administration said further action would be taken based on the inquiry report.

Authorities maintained that the Anubhav Kendra remains structurally safe and will be reopened for visitors after the situation is fully restored.

The Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra is an immersive experiential centre in Kurukshetra featuring installations depicting key episodes from the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita, highlighting their cultural and spiritual significance.

Developed at a cost of Rs 206 crore, the centre features modern digital technology, light-and-sound presentations, and exhibits related to the Mahabharata era.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the Kendra in November 2025.

In February 2024, Modi virtually inaugurated the experiential museum during an event in Rewari.