Mahakal Bhasma Aarti in Ujjain Draws Large Devotee Crowds

Ujjain, October 27: Baba Mahakal's Bhasma Aarti was held at the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on Tuesday, on the Pratipada tithi of Kartik Krishna Paksha. Large crowds of devotees gathered at the temple to witness the rare ceremony.

In the early hours of Tuesday, after obtaining the blessings of Lord Virbhadra, the temple doors were opened amid the beat of drums and dhols. After the divine shringar and Bhasma Aarti, devotees were blessed with darshan of Baba Mahakal.

The temple premises resonated with 'Jai Shri Mahakal' as bells, conch sounds and Vedic chants filled the surroundings. As the doors opened, Lord Mahakal was bathed and offered Panchamrit prepared from milk, curd, ghee, honey and fruit juices.

During the puja, the first ghantal was rung and Haridom water was offered. After the camphor aarti, Baba Mahakal was crowned. The Bhasma Aarti was then performed with the accompaniment of jhanjh, manjeera, drums and conch shells.

The deity was decorated with a tripund on his forehead and a garland of flowers around his head. Devotees were moved by this remarkable appearance. A considerable number of devotees attended the Bhasma Aarti, many of whom had waited in line since the night before.

According to tradition, the Mahanirvani Akhara offers the Bhasma Aarti to Baba Mahakal. Devotees believe that once the ash is offered, Baba Mahakal appears in a visible form from the formless state. Every year, devotees arrive in large numbers at the holy city of Ujjain to join this sacred aarti and feel blessed.