Baba Mahakal's bhsm aarti in Ujjain draws crowds, cricketer Siddharth Kaul attends

The Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain held a bhsm (ash) aarti on 8‑9 July as part of the Ashadha Krishna Paksha observances. The deity was adorned with traditional garlands, offered Panchamrit and water from a Hari Om pot, and the ceremony featured a drum‑beat opening and a large chorus of "Jai Shri Mahakal".

Thousands of devotees lined up overnight to witness the aarti, with police deployed to manage the crowds. On 9 July, former cricketer Siddharth Kaul and actress Anchal Munjal joined the worshippers, describing the experience as spiritually energising. The previous day, Tushendra Dev Sai, son of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, also participated in the ritual.

The event is noted for its unique use of ash made from Kapila cow dung and medicinal herbs, and for the mandatory traditional dress code of dhoti‑sola for men and saree for women.