Lord Mahakal’s divine darshan:Regal attire and sandalwood tilak mark Monday’s Bhasma Aarti

At the world-renowned Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, the sacred Bhasma Aarti was performed in the early hours of Monday. As the temple doors opened at 4 am, priests and pujaris offered prayers to all deity idols enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Mahakal was first offered Jalabhishek, followed by an Abhishek with Panchamrit prepared from milk, curd, ghee, sugar and fruit juices. The deity was then adorned with a sandalwood tilak, ornaments and dressed in a regal form. The Bhasma Aarti began with the ringing of the first bell. Amid the chanting of Vedic mantras, holy water was offered and the camphor aarti was performed. Bhang, sandalwood and Tripund were then applied to the Lord’s forehead, followed by a special adornment ritual. After the adornment was complete, the Jyotirlinga was covered with cloth and ash was applied. After offering the ash, Lord Mahakal was adorned with a silver Sheshnag crown, silver skull garland, Rudraksha garland, and garlands of fragrant flowers. Lord Mahakal, decorated with fragrant mogra and rose flowers, was offered fruits and sweets as bhog. A large number of devotees participated in the Bhasma Aarti and received the blessings of Baba Mahakal. Ash was offered to Lord Mahakal by the Maha Nirvani Akhara. It is believed that after the ash offering, Lord Mahakal gives darshan to devotees in a manifest form from the formless state.