Gautam Gambhir visits Mahakal temple ahead of match in Indore:Indian team coaches attend Bhasma Aarti, pray for victory before India-New Zealand clash on 18 Jan

Ahead of the cricket match between India and New Zealand to be played in Indore on January 18, Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple on Friday to offer prayers. Team India has reached Indore for the match to be played on Sunday. Before the game, coaches Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak arrived at the Mahakal Temple at around 4 am to take part in the Bhasma Aarti. During the Bhasma Aarti, both coaches sat in the Nandi Hall and sought the blessings of Lord Mahakal. They remained present for nearly two hours during the ritual and prayed for Team India’s success in the upcoming match. After the Aarti concluded, Gambhir and Kotak had darshan of Lord Mahakal from the temple threshold. They also offered water to Nandi as part of the customary rituals. Following the darshan, Assistant Administrator Ashish Falwadia honoured Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak on behalf of the Mahakaleshwar Temple Committee, acknowledging their visit and participation in the religious ceremony. Gambhir’s repeated visits to Mahakal Temple This was not Gautam Gambhir’s first visit to the temple. He had also come for darshan along with his family around five months ago. So far, Gambhir has participated in the Bhasma Aarti on four occasions. Speaking after the visit, Gautam Gambhir said, ‘I was fortunate that Lord Mahakal called me for darshan today. Whenever Mahakal calls me, I will come again. The arrangements at the temple were very good, as always.’