Mahakaleshwar Temple leads Raksha Bandhan celebrations in Ujjain with an offering of 1.25 lakh laddus

Raksha Bandhan celebrations at Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Temple began as early as 3 am as Lord Mahakal became the first to receive a Rakhi during during the Bhasma Aarti. A specially crafted Rakhi, prepared by women from the Amar Pujari family using velvet cloth, silk thread, pearls, and featuring an image of Lord Ganesh, was tied to the deity in the sanctum sanctorum.

Devotees witnessed an elaborate abhishek with panchamrit, followed by the offering of the Rakhi at the tastefully decorated sanctum and Nandi Hall. Following the Rakhi ceremony, a mahabhog of 1.25 lakh laddus was offered to Lord Mahakal. Preparations for the offering began four days earlier with a traditional furnace worship ritual performed behind the priest’s chamber.

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Confectioner Om Prakash Sharma led the preparation of the sweets for Mahakal on Raksha Bandhan and has been doing so for the past 12 years. Around 100 workers used 60 cans of pure ghee, 40 quintals of gram flour, 40 quintals of powdered sugar, and 25 kg of dry fruits to prepare the laddus, which were distributed as prasad to devotees.

Pandit Amar Pujari was quoted as saying by ANI, the tradition of tying Rakhi to Lord Mahakal during Bhasma Aarti is centuries old and marks the beginning of Raksha Bandhan celebrations at the temple. He stressed that every festival starts in Lord Mahakal’s court, and the Rakhi ritual is followed by mahabhog offering.

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This year’s Raksha Bandhan is considered auspicious due to a rare planetary alignment taking place after 297 years. Ujjain astrologer Pandit Amar Dibbewala was quoted as saying by Jagran that the current position of the planets mirror those observed in 1728.

There is no Bhadra Kaal (a period considered inauspicious for tying Rakhis) during this year’s Raksha Bandhan celebration, the Pandit said. He said that can be tied at any time until 2:40 PM, based on muhurat and choghadiya timings.