Ujjain: Sharp Decline In Mahakaleshwar Temple's Footfall On New Year’s Eve

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): The estimation of lakhs of devotees visiting Mahakaleshwar temple on the last day of the year proved wrong as around 25 per cent of footfall has been decreased this year. This time, the number of devotees visiting Mahakaleshwar was very less as compared to last year. The situation was such that the temple premises itself appeared empty.

Parking and barricades also remained empty. Whatever devotees came, they left after darshan. It is being said that Kumbh is about to begin in Prayagraj, so the inclination of devotees is more towards that.

However, it is expected that the crowd in the temple will increase on January 1. Shigra Darshan counters remained closed for three hours in the morning: Mahakal temple administration was expecting that number of devotees would increase from morning itself.

Due to this, Darshan counters of Rs 250 were closed. Hotel owners of the city said that the biggest reason for fewer crowds this time is that people are reaching Prayagraj Kumbh and Ayodhya.

A hotel employee said that this time booking has been relatively less. People who used to come from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, UP by car are going to Kumbh and Ayodhya Ram Temple. On the other hand, the temple committee has made a plan to give devotees darshan of Mahakal in 40 minutes.

Devotees will enter from Mahakal Lok. There will be a three-layered queue in the barricading from Chardham. One will be able to participate in Bhasma Aarti at 3 am. After this, the process of darshan will continue till 10.45 pm.

Bhasma aarti permission in-charge on 2-day remand

Bhasma aarti permission in-charge Ritesh Sharma, the last accused among employees who cheated people in the name of providing darshan to Mahakaleshwar temple surrendered at Mahakal police station on Monday evening. He was produced in a local court and the police got two-day remand. According to the police, couple of more employees of Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee (MTMC) may be made accused in the scam.