Bhasma Aarti

A divine experience – Bhasma Aarti offered to Lord Shiva in Ujjain.

When we hear “Ujjain” we recall “Mahakal”. A beautiful place in itself, Ujjain is a must visit place for those who want to feel the blessings of Lord Shiva. I happen to visit Maha kaleshwar temple of Ujjain in August 2022. I must say, I felt like why I didnt visit this place earlier. What a great temple! Full of energy and divinity. I must admit, I was fortunate to attend “Bhasma Aarti” offered in this temple. Before quoting story behind Ujjain and Mahakal I will first share my experience of “Bhasma Aarti”.

People come from far places to attend Bhasma Aarti. Pre-booking is required for those who want to attend Bhasma Aarti. Also it is recommended to have dress code – males must wear dhoti and females must wear sari. Attendees of Bhasma Aarti stand in the queue from 12:30 in the night. Though it is not required 🙂 enthusiasm of people make them stand in queue and wait till 2 AM when security check starts. Attendees are allowed to enter temple after security check and checking of pass obtained. Temple doors open at 4 AM when Pooja for Bhasma Aarti starts. From 4 AM till 5 AM Panditjis perform Pooja and from 5 AM till 6 AM Bhasma Aarti is performed. First I was too much tired waiting for Pooja to begin and waiting in queue but after 4 AM all waiting was worth. I was in queue from 1 AM and when we were allowed to enter “Garbhgruha” where Nandiji was seating at 4 AM the excitement was at peak. I could not wait any more to see the Pooja and finally I was seating in front of Mahakal Shiv Linga watching Panditji performing Pooja. First of all Shiv Linga was offered “Panchamrit” and then Shiv Linga was decorated to show face of Shiva on Linga. It was a great experience to watch Panditji decorate Shiva’s face on Linga. After decorating Shiv Linga, Fruits and Prasad was offered to Shiva. Then the actual Bhasma Aarti started. Panditji instructed women to cover their face with “Ghunghat”, lights were put off and people were asked to keep pin drop silence. A Panditji then applied Bhasma on Shiv Linga and the womens were asked to take off their “Ghunghat”, aarti was offered to Shiva without putting on lights. This aarti was a great experience and I thought “Wow” Bhasma aarti is over. But…. Wait…. it was not all over. Lights were put on and now Dhoop was offered to Shiva and then the actual and final aarti started. The music of “Damroo”, “Pakhaj” etc was magic, the atmosphere was very divine and I felt we were at different level… very divine… pleasant… relaxed and felt like the aarti should continue for a while.