Ujjain: Nine-day unique Shiv Navratri festival began at Mahakaleshwar temple here on Sunday. It will conclude on Mahashivnavratri on March 4. Among 12 jyotirlingas of the country, this festival is held only in Ujjain. During the festival special worship will be held and the Mahakal Jyotirlingam will be adorned in different bridal forms.
The marriage festival of Lord Shiv is celebrated as Shiv Navratri festival. On Sunday priest Ghanshyam Sharma worshiped the Mahadev and Mata Parvati in Koteshwar Mahadev temple and rudrabhishek was done by Vedic pundits. On the occasion of Shiv marriage, women sung hymns and 11 pundits were chanting Vedic mantras in the Mahakal temple premises. The festival of Shiv Navratri is being celebrated by pundits and devotees one Mahakal temple premises.
During the festival changes will be made in darshan and aarti facilities. According to Pt Ashish Guru adter bhog aarti will held at 3 pm. Baba Mahakal will be decorated as groom. It changed from ‘nirakar’ form to ‘sakaar’ form’. Mahaarti will be in evening at 6 pm. This sequence will continue till Mahashivratari.
As per the tradition of temple, Pt Ramesh Kanadkar akka Dholi Bua started his katha recital in Nardiya style. He recites the katha for nine days while standing on the platform of the temple along with his musical team.
Workers in dilemma
During the time of festivals, VIP darshan facilities will be from noon to 4 pm. With this the workers of temple are in dilemma. They said that the changes made in facilities have not been informed to devotees and their movement remains when temple is opened and until it is closed. However, by obtaining pass of Rs 251, darshan facilities will be unchanged.
Vehicle parking will be planned
Recently Mahakal temple devotees parked their two-wheelers and four-wheelers in Sarafa School ground, Shankh Dwar and vehicle parking stand near Madhav Sewa Nyas but during Shivratri festival, vehicle parking facility will be changed around Mahakaleshwar temple. Planning will be done by traffic police.
Special pagan in Juna Mahakal temple
The Shiv Navratri festival is started at Juna Mahakal temple, located on premises of the Mahakal temple on Sunday. Eleven Brahmins will perform rudrabhishek daily from noon to 3 pm. Baba will be groomed by taking a bath with turmeric, ubtan. Mahashivratri will begin on the March 4 and will conclude with abhishek.
