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Scores of devotees thronged Mahakaleshwar temple located in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district to offer prayers on the occasion of Hartalika Teej on Friday.
A special Bhasma Aarti was also performed and devotees were seen engrossed in devotion on the premises of the temple. Devotees queued up late at night to worship Baba Mahakal. Bhasma Aarti (offering with ashes) is a famous ritual here. It is performed during the 'Brahma Muhurta' between around 3:30 and 5:30 in the morning. According to religious beliefs, the wishes of the devotee who participates in the Bhasma Aarti are fulfilled. According to the priest of the temple, following the tradition, the doors of Baba Mahakal were opened in the Brahma Muhurta and after that, a holy bath of Lord Mahakal was performed with Panchamrit, which includes milk, curd, ghee, sugar, and honey. Thereafter Baba Mahakal was decorated with cannabis and sandalwood. After that special Bhasma Aarti and dhoop-deep Aarti were performed amid the beating of drums and blowing of Shankh (conch shells). A woman devotee, who came from Ahmedabad told ANI, "It is Hartalika Teej festival today and we offered prayers here on the occasion. We pray to Baba Mahakal, may the Lord shower his blessings on everyone and everyone should stay happy. We feel delighted after visiting here." "We woke up at midnight, queued in line from 4 am, and offered prayers here. Today, we are fasting on Hartalika Teej and feeling very happy after worshipping here. We prayed for the welfare of the family," another woman said. Hartalika Teej is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Tritiya of Bhadrapada month. The festival of Hartalika Teej holds importance in Hinduism and on this day, devotees pray to Lord Shiva and Maat Parvati, make their idols using sand, and seek blessings for a blissful marital life. On this day married women fast for the long life of their husbands. (ANI)
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