Devotees Chant 'Jai Shri Mahakal' During Ujjain's Bhasm Aarti

Ujjain, October 28: A powerful wave of devotion swept through the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on Wednesday, as Baba Mahakal received a grand shringar and Bhasm Aarti on the Tritiya tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month. Large crowds of devotees gathered within the temple premises to witness the extraordinary ritual.

The day began before dawn. After taking the permission of Lord Veerbhadra, the temple doors were opened to the beat of drums, and devotees soon received darshan of Baba Mahakal following the divine decoration and Bhasm Aarti.

With the opening of the sanctum, the temple complex rang out with chants of 'Jai Shri Mahakal'. Temple bells, the sound of conch shells and recitations of mantras reverberated through the premises.

During the abhishek, Baba Mahakal was bathed with Panchamrit, prepared from milk, curd, ghee, honey and fruit juice, amid the chanting of mantras. Harioam water was offered during the worship after the first ghanta was struck. Following the camphor aarti, the deity was adorned with a crown.

The Bhasm Aarti was performed with jhanjh and manjira, drums and conch shell blowing. The shringar, created with sandalwood paste and bel leaves inscribed with the name of Ram, left devotees moved to tears.

Many devotees had lined up since the previous night to secure a view of their beloved deity during the Bhasm Aarti.

As per custom, the Bhasm Aarti is offered to Baba Mahakal by the Mahanirvani Akhara. It is believed that after the ash offering, Baba Mahakal reveals himself in a visible form from his formless state. Devotees visit Ujjain in large numbers for this unique ritual and consider the darshan a blessing.