Fixed rates set for all Mahakal aartis:Devotees upset over alleged discrimination among Hindu worshippers

At the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, you will now be able to attend the evening and shayan aartis only if you have a ₹250 pass. The temple committee has introduced a new viewing arrangement for these aartis on the lines of the bhasma aarti. This will generate an additional ₹6 lakh daily for the committee—₹1.80 crore per month and ₹22 crore annually. However, devotees have begun protesting the decision. Followers of Mahakal are calling it a “dictatorial order.” Not only worshippers but even the state’s religious affairs minister has opposed it. The administration argues that, like the bhasma aarti, branding the evening and shayan aartis will help control crowds. What exactly is the dispute, why are fees being charged for the shayan aarti, and will the decision be withdrawn after protests? Bhaskar spoke to all sides at ground zero to find answers. Read the full Sunday Big Story… Current situation…Devotees angry, Administration strict The temple committee’s decision is purely administrative. No public representatives, priests or devotee groups were consulted. People who could not afford paid entry for the bhasma aarti earlier used to attend the evening or shayan aarti for free. Now, any visitor without ₹250 will not be able to stay through all three aartis. At present, they only have the option of moving darshan. Those associated with the temple clearly appear fearful of the administration. Though they oppose the decision, they are not speaking openly. Bookings for these aartis are entirely online. The administration calls the system transparent, but there is no solid arrangement for those unable to register online. A help desk has been set up at the temple for assistance. Devotees said – Mahakal Raja, how can there be discrimination among people Engineer Rajendra Patidar, a resident of Khargone, has been attending the evening and shayan aartis for years. He said those who paid ₹250 got space in the lower hall, while other devotees were pushed out to the upper hall and outer courtyard. “This scene is very painful. In God’s court, king and subjects should be equal, but here devotion is being divided on the basis of money. If Mahakal is the king of Ujjain, his rules should be the same for all,” he said. Devotee Council President said – Will have darshan even after taking beating Mahendra Katiyar, president of the Mahakal shayan aarti devotee group, said they have been attending the ritual for 26 years. “After Shivratri we celebrate Baba Mahakal’s divine wedding, but this time the administration has spoiled the mood. If fees are taken for evening and shayan aartis too, what remains of a temple? Does this happen in other religions? Why discrimination in our temples? Even if beaten with sticks, we will still go for darshan,” he said. Mahakal priests said – We were not consulted Temple priest Vinay Sharma said neither the administration nor the committee consulted priests before imposing the fee because they considered themselves competent to decide. He suggested that 25% of seats should be reserved offline for poor or outstation devotees who cannot book online due to technical issues or lack of information. Pilgrims who visit repeatedly should get peaceful darshan free or at nominal cost, he added. Mahakal is pleased with one lota of water, then why accumulate wealth – Leader of Opposition Leader of Opposition in Ujjain Municipal Corporation, Ravi Rai, said Mahakal is so simple that a pot of water pleases him, yet new income sources are being sought in his court. The committee itself admits annual income from donation boxes and offerings of gold and silver has reached ₹170–180 crore—so why charge devotees? He alleged thousands of staff have been hired, but ordinary devotees still lack basic facilities. Free offerings like chironji-tilak are gone, and expensive prasad must now be bought. The committee is making profits from laddus and pedas while claiming a “no profit, no loss” policy. Scientific crowd management should be adopted instead of charging fees, he said. Mayor says – I am in the committee, but consent was not taken Mayor Mukesh Tatwal said that as per the temple committee Act, the Ujjain mayor is an ex-officio member and the collector is chairperson. No executive meeting was held regarding this decision, nor was he informed or any proposal placed before the committee. He added that ensuring smooth darshan for locals and visitors is good, but he was not called to any meeting when the decision was taken. It has been a long time since a committee meeting was held; he does not even recall a Shivratri meeting—only a budget meeting took place. Temple trust has many sources of income besides aarti On normal days, 2–3 lakh devotees visit daily. The temple is run under a trust managed by the Ujjain collector, with an administrator appointed by the state government. Officials say income comes from offerings by devotees—cash as well as gold and silver. Revenue is also generated through quick darshan, bhasma aarti bookings, abhishek rituals, donations to the food hall, dharamshala bookings, Ujjain darshan bus services, and bookings for bhang and flags. Last year, the temple earned ₹53.50 crore from laddu prasad sales alone. Compared to 2022–23, income in 2023–24 rose by ₹39 crore. Data for 2025 has not been made public. Congress Attack – Government is turning religion into business Congress leader and former agriculture minister Sachin Yadav said it is unfortunate that on one hand the BJP speaks of Sanatan and Hindu faith, and on the other it troubles devotees. People face great difficulty in getting darshan of their chosen deities. “The government is turning religion into a business,” he alleged. Religious Affairs Minister said – Good news will come soon State tourism and religious affairs minister Dharmendra Lodhi said he learned of the fee decision only after it was implemented and he does not agree with it. Talks are underway with the management committee. “Our government promotes religion. Devotees will not be troubled,” he said. Moving darshan system will remain smooth – Mahakal Temple Administrator Temple administrator Pratham Kaushik said the additional facility was introduced so devotees can have orderly darshan during evening and shayan aartis along with the free arrangement. He said devotees can pre-register online on the temple’s official website, enabling systematic entry. Both free-darshan visitors and pre-registered devotees will be able to watch the aarti smoothly.