As we all know the Bhasma Aarti (offering of ashes) is an obligatory tradition offered to Lord Mahakaleshwar daily at 4 AM in Ujjain. It's a two hour long pooja that is performed using burning cow dung cakes (upale). During Aarti, chanting of mantras, sounds and vibrations within make it a very powerful Aarti in turn making it a very mesmerizing experience. Among 12 jyothirlingas, this jyothirlinga is the only place where bhasma aarti is performed. The aarti has lot of importance in the Hindus as it is performed for Lord Shiva who is "Nimohi" and "Bhoot Bhavan" so he is given bath from ashes.
During the Bhasma Aarti no one is allowed to enter into garbhagriha,area where ritual is performed. Devotees will be allowed to nandi hall and barricades behind nandi hall for participating in the Bhasma Aarti. Nandi hall which is situated outside the sanctum santorumm, accommodates 100 people where as 500 devotees could sit near barricades behind the nandi hall.
In the wee hours of the day aarti is performed at Shri Mahakal, Ujjain. There is advance bookings that take place for taking part in this aarti. Bookings are to be made by filling out online registration form and submitting it to the respective websites before 12 noon.
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