Basketball Star Poonam Chaturvedi Honored at Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain

Indian basketball player Poonam Chaturvedi, who is Asia's tallest basketball player at 7 feet, visited the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. On Friday, she offered prayers and sought blessings like a regular visitor by taking a darshan ticket.

Assistant Administrator of the temple management committee, Prateek Dwivedi, recognized her at the exit gate and invited her to the control room. There, he honored her by presenting a picture of Baba Mahakal and prasad.

The Mahakaleshwar temple management committee allows celebrities and players to have darshan from Nandi hall under the protocol, but Poonam Chaturvedi chose to worship like a normal visitor.

Chaturvedi, an international basketball player representing India, has mentioned her height and achievements in her Instagram bio.

Many celebrities and players visit Mahakaleshwar temple to take blessings and participate in the famous Bhasma Aarti ritual, performed during the Brahma Muhurta between 3:30 and 5:30 in the morning. According to religious beliefs, the wishes of devotees participating in the Bhasma Aarti are fulfilled.

The temple priest explained that the doors of Baba Mahakal open in the Brahma Muhurta, followed by a holy bath with Panchamrit, and then the Bhasma Aarti is performed with drums and conch shells.