On 10 April 2016, a huge fire broke out during a fireworks display at a temple festival in Kerala. At which of the following temples did this tragic incident occur?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Puttingal Temple

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This current affairs question refers to a tragic accident that attracted national attention in 2016. It involved a huge fire at a temple festival in Kerala during a competitive fireworks display. Such questions are commonly included in general awareness sections to test whether candidates follow major national news events beyond politics and economy. Remembering the name of the specific temple helps you connect geography, disaster awareness, and recent history in one compact fact.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The incident took place on 10 April 2016 in the state of Kerala.
  • The fire broke out during a fireworks display connected to a temple festival.
  • The options list several well known temples in Kerala, including Chottanikkara, Puttingal, Vishnuvira, Mannarasala, and Guruvayur.
  • We assume the learner is aware that the disaster was widely reported nationally as the Puttingal temple fire.


Concept / Approach:
The approach is based on careful recall of the exact name used in media reports. The tragedy occurred at the Puttingal Devi Temple in Paravur, Kollam district. Fireworks stored in an unsafe manner led to explosions and a large blaze, causing many deaths and injuries. Examiners often test whether a candidate can remember specific event names such as the Bhopal gas tragedy, Uphaar cinema fire, or the Puttingal temple fire. The key is to match the date, location, and description with the correct temple name.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the date 10 April 2016 and the mention of a huge fire during a fireworks display in Kerala. Step 2: Recall that news coverage repeatedly used the phrase Puttingal temple fire tragedy when describing this incident. Step 3: Scan the options and look for Puttingal Temple among the alternatives. Step 4: Confirm that this matches your memory of the location in Paravur, Kollam district, and mark Puttingal Temple as the correct answer.


Verification / Alternative check:
As an alternative check, remember that Guruvayur and Chottanikkara are famous pilgrimage centres but did not feature in 2016 in relation to a major fireworks disaster. The name Puttingal Devi Temple is strongly associated with this tragedy, making it easier to recall correctly. Review of disaster management case studies used in general studies material also highlights Puttingal as an example of the dangers of unsafe fireworks practices at religious festivals.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Chottanikkara Temple near Kochi is an important Devi temple but was not the site of the 2016 fireworks tragedy. Vishnuvira Temple and Mannarasala Temple are other religious sites in Kerala, with Mannarasala being known for serpent worship traditions, yet neither was linked with the fire described in the question. Guruvayur Temple in Thrissur district is dedicated to Krishna and is one of the most important temples in Kerala, but no major fire disaster took place there on the date mentioned. Only Puttingal Temple in Paravur was associated with the tragic 2016 fireworks fire.


Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose a more famous temple name such as Guruvayur or Chottanikkara simply because it is well known, without paying attention to the specific current affairs event. Another pitfall is confusing the 2016 accident with smaller incidents at other temples in different years. To avoid these errors, fix the phrase Puttingal temple fire in your memory together with the date April 2016 and the state of Kerala. This will help you answer similar questions accurately in examinations.


Final Answer:
The huge fire during the fireworks display on 10 April 2016 occurred at Puttingal Temple in Kerala.

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