Ujjain is gearing up for the grand celebration of Mahashivratri 2026, with just a few days remaining for the festival that marks the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Preparations have already begun at the Baba Mahakal Temple to welcome devotees and celebrate the occasion with full fervour.
The temple is being adorned with vibrant colours from its walls to the shikhar (spire). The nine-day festival will commence on 6 February and continue until 15 February, during which Lord Mahakal will be worshipped in nine different forms.
Speaking to the media, Mahesh Sharma, the temple priest, clarified, “Mahashivratri will be observed on 15 February this year. Though there is some confusion in certain places regarding the date, in Ujjain the festival will be celebrated on the 15th.”
He added that the nine-day festivities in the city of Baba Mahakal include daily Rudrabhishek (ritual bathing of the deity), continuous darshan of the formless form of the Lord, and special rituals involving water offerings, night baths, and changing of garments. Each day will feature the installation and worship of different idols of Lord Shiva, similar to the nine-day worship during Navratri. The temple will remain open for devotees throughout, allowing them to offer water to Baba Mahakal.
Detailing the daily rituals, Sharma explained, “On the first day, the deity is dressed in a special cloth called ‘Dushala’. On the second day, Lord Shiva is adorned with the serpent Sheshnag. The third day involves installing the ‘Ghata-ghata’, a pot representing the Shiva Lingam. On the fourth day, devotees get to see the divine image of the Lord. The fifth day involves decorating the deity in forms such as Man-Mahesh, Uma Mahesh, Shiva Tandav, and Holkar.”
Regarding the special ceremonies on 15 February, the priest said, “On Mahashivratri night, there will be water offerings along with worship and aarti at all four time periods. The Lord will be bathed and dressed as the bridegroom, and a special decoration ritual known as ‘Sehra Darshan’ will take place.”
The temple premises will also host bhajans and kirtans throughout the nine days. With devotees expected to throng the temple during Mahashivratri, preparations are in full swing to manage the crowd. Cleaning of the sanctum sanctorum and temple premises has begun, along with painting and decoration work, which is aimed to be completed before 6 February.
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