Special Bhasma Aarti performed in Mahakal temple of Ujjain (see)

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Following the tradition of celebrating Diwali at Mahakaleshwar Temple, special Divya Deep Aarti and special Bhasma Aarti of Baba Mahakal (Lord Shiva) was performed by lighting sparklers to mark the occasion on Thursday.

Crores of devotees gathered at the temple to worship Baba Mahakal and participate in the Bhasma Aarti held here.

'Bhasma Aarti' (offering of ashes) is a famous ritual here. This is done during 'Brahma Muhurta' around 3:30 to 5:30 in the morning. According to religious beliefs, the wishes of the devotee who participates in Bhasma Aarti are fulfilled.

Temple priest, Mahesh Sharma told ANI, “Following the tradition, the festival of Diwali was celebrated during Bhasma Aarti at the Mahakal temple here. As part of the ritual, Lord Mahakal was given a holy bath with Panchamrit. Milk was also included.” Curd, ghee, sugar and honey were offered to him, today a special ubtan was applied to Baba Mahakal and this tradition was carried out by the women of the priest family.

The priest further said that to celebrate the tradition of Diwali, divine makeup of Baba Mahakal was done and then aarti was performed with sparklers.

“Women also performed Kapoor Aarti on this occasion and this is done only once in a year. On this occasion, dishes made from grains of the new crop were offered to the Lord. Baba Mahakal was divinely adorned. This was followed by special Bhasma Aarti and incense sticks were offered -Deep Aarti with a single Fuljhadi firecracker was conducted,” he added.

Priest Sharma stressed that earlier many types of firecrackers and sparklers were brought here but due to some unfortunate incident that happened here recently, the temple committee banned it. However as part of the tradition followed, a sparkler was lit to celebrate the occasion.