Grand Bhasma Aarti marks Janmashtami at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga

The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh is one of the most visited religious places in the country. The deity, Baba Mahakaal, an avatar of Lord Shiva, is greatly worshipped and revered. On the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, thousands of devotees gathered at the temple to witness the Bhasma Aarti held in the court of Baba Mahakal. The Bhasma Aarti at the Mahakaleshwar Temple was performed with grandeur today at 2:30 am, on the first Monday of Bhadrapad Krishna. During the ceremony, Baba Mahakal was also specially adorned to resemble Lord Krishna.

Pandit Mahesh Sharma, the priest of the world-famous Shri Mahakaleshwar temple, mentioned that Baba Mahakal woke up at 2:30 am. The doors of the temple were opened at 4 am, the Lord was bathed, followed by the Panchamrit Abhishek and an offering of saffron-infused water. After this, Baba Mahakal was adorned in the form of Lord Krishna. Those who witnessed this divine decoration, made using cannabis and dry fruits, were enthralled by its splendor. On the holy festival of Janmashtami, the deity was adorned with special decorations. During the Bhasma Aarti, ash was presented to Lord Mahakal. Mahakal was adorned with a silver crown resembling Sheshnag, a silver Mundmaal and a Rudraksha garland, complemented by a garland of aromatic flowers.

At Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, devotee Dhirendra Sakhya from Bengaluru donated a silver crown to Lord Shri Mahakaleshwar. The silver crown weighs approximately 3246.00 grams. Assistant Trustee Prateek Dwivedi and Rakesh Srivastava of Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee honoured the donor and issued a formal receipt. This information was provided by Kothari Manish Panchal of the Storehouse Branch of the temple management committee.

Madhya Pradesh has two Jyotirlingas, the second, Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, is situated about 140 km south of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga.