Lakhs of devotees reached Ujjain to have darshan of Mahakal on Mahashivratri. Mahapuja was performed late in the night. Lord Mahakal was decorated with flowers for a quarter of a mind. Seven grains were offered in the morning. Bhasmari took place at 12 noon on the next day of Mahashivratri. It happens only once in a year when the early morning Bhasmari takes place in the afternoon.
Actually, on Mahashivratri, there was enthusiasm and gaiety in the city of Mahakal. The doors of the temple were opened at 3 am, after which incineration took place. After this the entry of the general public started and till late night, more than five lakh devotees visited Mahakal. On the evening of Shivratri, Ujjain lit up with the light of lamps. 21 lakh lamps were lit in the city. Lighting more than 11 lakh lamps at various ghats of Shipra river. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also participated in this Deepotsav program with his wife. This record of Ujjain was recorded in the Guinness Book. Earlier this record was in the name of Ayodhya where more than nine lakh diyas were lit simultaneously.
Darshan of the crown in the morning, incineration in the afternoon
In the early hours of Wednesday, the priests offered bilva leaves, lotus flowers and saptdhanya after worshiping the Lord. After this, one and a half hearts were decorated with a floral crown (sehra) made of flowers and fruits. Offered sweets, fruits, dry fruits to the Lord and performed aarti. Mahakal’s incineration took place at 12 noon on Wednesday. It happens once in a year when Bhasmari takes place in the afternoon on the next day of Shivratri. From 6 am to 11 am on Wednesday, devotees had darshan of the crown of Mahakal. Later the crown was lowered and its flowers were distributed as prasad. It is said that keeping the flowers of Lord Mahakal’s flower crown in the house keeps prosperity. If there is a hindrance in the auspicious work of the girls, if they keep the flowers of the flower crown with them, then the chances of their marriage are formed soon.
Mahapuja performed in Mahanishkaal
After the Deepotsav program, the Mahapuja of Mahakal was started from 11 o’clock in the night. This puja took place during Mahanishakal. The Mahapuja started with the worship of Koteshwar Mahadev located near the Kotitirth Kund. After the worship of Koteshwar Mahadev, the sequence of worship started in the sanctum sanctorum from 12 o’clock on Tuesday night. First of all, the priests anointed Lord Mahakal with Panchamrit, fruit juices, aromatic substances. After this, Bhushuddhi, Bhoot Shuddhi Puja was performed. One and a half lakh Bilva leaves were offered to the Lord from the Shiva Sahastra name. After applying sandalwood, the mouthpiece of the saptadhanya was made and seven types of grains were offered. Aarti was performed after offering Mahabhog.