Madhya Pradesh: On the first day of 2025, devotees throng Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar temple for Bhasma Aarti

Ujjain: On the first day of 2025, a large number of devotees flocked to the Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in the Ujjain region of Madhya Pradesh to pray and ask Baba Mahakal (Lord Shiva) for his blessings.

They also took part in the Bhasma Aarti, which was conducted in the temple on that special day. Maha pujan was also done to commemorate the event, according to a temple priest.

Here, “Bhasma aarti,” or offering with ashes, is a well-known custom. It takes place at the ‘Brahma Muhurta’ somewhere between 3:30 and 5:30 a.m. Religious doctrine holds that the desires of the devotee who takes part in the Bhasma aarti are granted.

“Today, a maha pooja was performed here on the occasion of the first day of the year, which is celebrated throughout the country and in the Mahakaleshwar temple,” priest Mahesh Sharma told ANI. In accordance with custom, Baba Mahakal’s holy bath with Panchamrit—which contained milk, curd, ghee, honey, and fruit juices—was performed. A Divya Aarti was then conducted after Baba Mahakal had been adorned.

Baba Mahakal later received prayers from the devotees. We pray to Lord Mahakaleshwar on this good fortune day that everyone and the nation will be happy and prosperous this year, and that all of the devotees who are coming here will be blessed, he said.

Happiness was also expressed by devotees after their prayers at Baba Mahakal.

“I had a wonderful experience, and if this is how the year starts, I have no doubt that Baba Mahakal will continue to bless us. Devotee Ishika Taneja told ANI, “The year has started off very well, and a lot of devotees have gathered here.

In the meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (SP, Ujjain) Pradeep Sharma informed ANI that the right preparations had been taken to make it easier for the devotees to attend and wished them a happy new year.

1100 police officers have been sent in to ensure everyone’s safety and security. We really hope that, with Baba Mahakal’s blessings, we will be successful in our attempt to ensure that everyone has a darshan of Baba Mahakal within forty minutes. “Happy New Year to all of you,” SP Sharma said.