First Rakhi Offered to Mahakal at Ujjain Temple with Over 125,000 Laddus

Ujjain, August 28: The Raksha Bandhan festival was celebrated with great joy at the world-renowned Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple on Friday, coinciding with the full moon day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Sawan. Lord Mahakal is revered as the king of the universe, and according to tradition, the first Rakhi is always offered to Him.

During the early morning Bhasma Aarti, a special ritual for Raksha Bandhan was performed at the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Prior to this, the deity was bathed with Panchamrit, a sacred mixture of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar. Following the abhishekam, Lord Mahakal was adorned with bhang, sandalwood, and dry fruits, and dressed in new garments.

As the Bhasma Aarti commenced, the Mahanirvani Akhara performed the ritual of applying ash to the deity. It is believed that after the ash is offered, Lord Mahakal reveals Himself from the formless to the manifest. A large number of devotees flock to Ujjain to participate in this sacred aarti.

During the ceremony, a specially crafted Rakhi was presented to Lord Mahakal by the women of the priestly family. It is customary that the Raksha Bandhan festival does not officially begin in Ujjain until the Rakhi is tied on Lord Mahakal. Only after this ritual do sisters tie Rakhis on their brothers.

On this occasion, a special offering of over 125,000 laddus was made at the temple. Following the Bhasma Aarti, these laddus were distributed as prasad among the numerous devotees present. The entire temple complex resonated with chants of “Jai Shri Mahakal” and “Har Har Mahadev.”

On this auspicious Raksha Bandhan, a steady stream of devotees visited Ujjain. Thousands traveled from afar to witness the Bhasma Aarti and began the festival with the blessings of Lord Mahakal.