Baba Mahakal aarti in Ujjain draws thousands of devotees

On the occasion of Ashadha Krishna Paksha Tritiya (July 12) and Chaturdashi (July 13) 2026, the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain held the ceremonial bhsm aarti of Baba Mahakal. The deity was adorned with symbolic ornaments representing the sun, moon, trishul, serpent and kundal, and was offered a ritual bathing with Panchamrit made from milk, yogurt, ghee, sugar and fruit juice.

Thousands of worshippers gathered in the temple complex, many lining up overnight, to witness the rite. Traditional attire—dhoti‑sola for men and saree for women—was mandatory. Police were deployed in large numbers to maintain order. The bhsm used for the aarti is prepared from Kapila cow dung mixed with medicinal herbs, replacing earlier practices that used cremation ash.