Ujjain, September 4 (Daily Kiran) : The Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain was abuzz with activity on September 4, as devotees celebrated Janmashtami with fervor. On this auspicious day, the bhog of Baba Mahakal was offered during the bhadrapada Krishna paksha’s ashtami tithi, which included the mesmerizing bhasma aarti.
Early Friday morning, the temple doors were opened with the permission of Lord Veerabhadra, accompanied by the sounds of drums and trumpets. As the bhasma aarti commenced, the temple echoed with chants of “Jai Shri Mahakal,” creating a spiritually charged atmosphere filled with the sounds of bells, conch shells, and mantras.
As the doors opened, the idol of Mahakal was bathed in a ritual of water and then anointed with a mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and fruit juices, known as Panchamrit. Following the initial rituals, the deity was adorned with a crown after the camphor aarti. The bhasma aarti was performed with joyful music from traditional instruments, celebrating Baba Mahakal’s form as Lord Krishna on this special occasion.
The temple priest conducted the maha aarti, which attracted a large number of devotees who had queued since the previous night for a glimpse of their beloved deity. It is customary for men to wear a traditional dhoti and women to don saris during the bhasma aarti.
According to tradition, the Great Nirvani Akhada offers the bhasma aarti to Baba Mahakal. It is believed that after this offering, Baba Mahakal manifests from the formless to the form, granting blessings to the devotees. Many pilgrims travel to the sacred city of Ujjain to partake in this cherished ritual.
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