Mahakaleshwar Temple hosts Bhasma Aarti and Krishna-themed rituals

Large crowds of devotees gathered at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain to witness the sacred Bhasma Aarti during the festivities of Janmashtami and the preceding days.

On the occasion of Janmashtami, the deity Baba Mahakal was adorned in the form of Lord Krishna. The ritual included the traditional Bhasma Aarti, where ash is offered following permission from Lord Virabhadra. The ceremony involved the use of Panchamrit—a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and fruit juice—for the abhisheka (ritual bathing) of the deity.

During the celebrations, the deity was also decorated with Vaishnav tilak and Bel leaves inscribed with the name of Ram. The rituals, which include the offering of ash by the Mahanirvani Akhara, drew significant numbers of pilgrims who queued from the previous night to participate in the ceremonies.