Objection to ‘Haldi Khela’ at Mahakal temple:Women celebrate Mahashivratri with dance and music; Panditis says no scriptural mention, seek ban

A controversy has erupted in the Mahakal Temple complex in Ujjain over women applying turmeric to each other and dancing. Temple priests have called it against Sanatan tradition and demanded an immediate stop to it. Women are dancing and singing during the Maha Shivnavratri, which is being celebrated before Mahashivratri. It is believed that before Lord Mahakal is adorned as a groom on Mahashivratri, special adornments are done every day for nine days of Shivnavratri. During this period, Lord Koteshwar is worshipped in the temple complex in the morning. After the worship, about 50 to 100 women who come daily for darshan celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva. They dance and sing with a bhajan group, applying turmeric to each other. See 3 pictures
Priest said – such a tradition is a kind of joke Mahakal temple priest Mahesh Sharma objected to this, saying that in Shiv Navratri, there is only a tradition of worship, adoration, and resolve. It starts from Panchami. It is celebrated as the manifestation day of God. Nowadays, people consider it as Shiv Vivah (marriage). This was taken as a joke, applying and playing with turmeric. Whereas Shiva Purana and other scriptures do not mention Shiva’s marriage on Shivratri and celebrating it in this manner. Playing with turmeric is against Sanatan tradition. The tradition of applying turmeric should also not become harmful. Therefore, the temple committee has been requested to impose a timely ban on it. Temple administration also received complaints about playing with turmeric The temple administration has also received complaints in this regard that playing with turmeric is being organised in the temple premises, contrary to tradition. Following this, the administrator has indicated that it will be stopped. It is expected that the administrator will soon issue orders in this regard. Tradition of offering Ubtan to Lord Koteshwar In fact, there is a tradition of offering Ubtan to Lord Koteshwar in the temple premises. For nine days, Lord Mahakal is specially adorned. On Mahashivratri, the Lord is decorated as a groom and a sehra (headgear) is offered. This is why devotees have started celebrating it as Shiva’s marriage. Women who regularly visit the Mahakal temple started the tradition of playing with turmeric about 11 years ago. Women dance to the beat of drums. In this way, they started celebrating the festival by applying turmeric to each other.