Fire Ravages Junga’s 200 Year Old Palace
The heart of Old Junga was shaken on Wednesday afternoon when flames engulfed the nearly two-century-old palace of the erstwhile Keonthal State, reducing a portion of this historic treasure to ashes. Once a proud symbol of heritage, the palace had stood silently uninhabited for over a hundred years—until fire turned its silence into sorrow.
Around 1 p.m., smoke and flames were spotted rising from the palace. Locals rushed to the site, desperately trying to save what remained of their shared history. Soon after, Tehsildar Junga, Kartikeya Sharma, arrived with police and Home Guard teams, coordinating efforts until fire brigade vehicles from Shimla reached an hour later. The battle against the blaze began in earnest, with firefighters working tirelessly to contain the inferno.
Sharma confirmed that while the fire was brought under control from the outside, efforts continue inside the palace. The cause remains unknown, and a thorough investigation will follow once the flames are fully extinguished.
For the royal family, the loss is deeply personal. Pankaj Sen, a descendant of Keonthal’s rulers, mourned the destruction of what could have become a heritage site for future generations. He revealed that the palace housed the sacred temple (Paul) of 22 Tika of deity Junga, which may also have suffered irreparable damage.
A century ago, the royal residence shifted to New Junga, leaving the old palace as a silent witness to history. Today, that witness has been scarred forever, leaving behind only memories and ashes where grandeur once stood.
