Diwali Celebrations at Mahakaleshwar Temple
Special Aarti for Baba Mahakal
In Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, the Mahakaleshwar temple celebrated Diwali with a special divya deep aarti and Bhasma aarti for Baba Mahakal, another name for Lord Shiva. The event took place on Thursday, with devotees gathering to offer prayers and participate in the rituals.
Unique Rituals and Offerings
The Bhasma aarti, a well-known ritual, is performed during the early morning hours of Brahma Muhurta, between 3:30 and 5:30 AM. It is believed that wishes of those who participate are fulfilled. Priest Mahesh Sharma explained that the Diwali festival included a holy bath for Lord Mahakal using Panchamrit, a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, sugar, and honey, along with fruit juices. Women from the priest’s family applied Ubtan to Baba Mahakal as part of the tradition.
Traditional Celebrations
A divya shringaar, or divine adornment, of Baba Mahakal was performed, followed by aarti with a sparkler. Women also conducted a special camphor aarti, which is unique to this occasion. Dishes made from new crop grains were offered to the deity. Although the use of multiple crackers and sparklers was banned due to a past incident, a single sparkler was lit to honor the tradition.
Doubts Revealed
Mahakaleshwar Temple -: The Mahakaleshwar Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva.
Diwali -: Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu festival celebrated in India. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and people celebrate it by lighting lamps, bursting crackers, and sharing sweets.
Baba Mahakal -: Baba Mahakal is another name for Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. In the context of the Mahakaleshwar Temple, it refers to the deity worshipped there.
Divya Deep Aarti -: Divya Deep Aarti is a special ritual involving the lighting of lamps and offering them to the deity as a form of worship. It is performed to seek blessings and express devotion.
Bhasma Aarti -: Bhasma Aarti is a unique ritual performed at the Mahakaleshwar Temple, where sacred ash (bhasma) is used in the worship of Lord Shiva. It is conducted during the early morning hours and is considered very auspicious.
Brahma Muhurta -: Brahma Muhurta is a period of time that occurs about one and a half hours before sunrise. It is considered an ideal time for meditation and spiritual activities in Hinduism.
Panchamrit -: Panchamrit is a sacred mixture used in Hindu rituals, made from five ingredients: milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar. It is used for bathing deities during worship.
Divya Shringaar -: Divya Shringaar refers to the special decoration and adornment of the deity with flowers, clothes, and ornaments during a ritual. It is done to honor and beautify the deity.
Camphor Aarti -: Camphor Aarti is a ritual where camphor is lit and offered to the deity as a form of worship. Camphor is known for its pleasant aroma and is believed to purify the surroundings.
Sparkler -: A sparkler is a type of firework that emits bright, sparkling light when lit. It is often used during celebrations like Diwali, but in this case, only one was used to maintain tradition while respecting a ban on multiple crackers.