Baba Mahakal Ashes Aarti Draws Thousands of Devotees in Ujjain

On 20 July, the Baba Mahakal Ashes Aarti was performed at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on the Aashada Shukla Shashthi. The ritual began with the priest opening the deity's chambers to the beat of drums, followed by an elaborate adornment with bhang, sandalwood, vermilion and a silver crown, necklace and garlands. Devotees witnessed the pouring of Panchamrit—milk, curd, ghee, sugar and fruit juice—over the deity.

A large crowd, estimated in the thousands, gathered early, many lining up overnight to partake in the ceremony. Police deployed in force to maintain order. State Information Commissioner Bhimashankar Pachauri attended with his family and noted the effectiveness of the current preparations for the upcoming 2028 Kumbh Mela, also remarking on the recent successful launch of the "Vikram" rocket.

The aarti, famed across India and abroad, requires men to wear dhoti‑sona and women to wear sarees. The event highlights the temple’s continuing cultural and religious significance in central India.