Ujjain witnessed a grand spectacle on Monday as Lord Mahakaleshwar’s royal procession was taken out with devotion and cultural splendor.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav extended greetings to the people of Madhya Pradesh and prayed for the well-being and prosperity of all citizens.
The chief minister said that while Lord Mahadev’s processions are organised across the country during Shravan, Ujjain holds the tradition of continuing them on the two Mondays of Bhadrapada as well. “Today, Lord Mahakal, in his majestic royal form, undertook the concluding procession of the season, toured the city, and blessed devotees with divine darshan,” Dr. Yadav said.
The procession, which began at 4 pm, saw Lord Chandramouleshwara placed in a silver palanquin and taken through traditional routes to Ramghat, where he was ceremonially worshipped with holy water from the Kshipra River. As the palanquin emerged from the Sabha Mandap, flower petals were showered from a helicopter, and armed police contingents along with mounted guards offered a salute.
Dr. Yadav himself joined the procession, playing the damru and cymbals, while thousands of devotees accompanied, chanting “Har Har Mahadev” and playing manjiras.
Darshan in six roops
In this royal procession, Lord Mahakal appeared before devotees in six divine forms: Shri Chandramouleshwara in the silver palanquin, Shri Manmahesh on the elephant, Shri Shiv Tandav on the Garuda chariot, Shri Uma-Mahesh on the Nandi chariot, the Holkar State Mukharavind on the Dol chariot, and Shri Saptadhan Mukharavind.
Cultural vibrancy
Seventy devotional groups and cultural troupes added splendor to the event. Tribal and folk artists performed Dholia tribal dance from Anuppur, Shringari folk dance from Bhubaneswar, Danda dance from Harda, and Karma dance from Balaghat. The Department of Culture and Tribal Folk Art Academy coordinated the performances.
For wider participation, devotees were provided darshan through mobile chariots fitted with LED screens, while live telecasts were streamed across Ujjain at locations including Freeganj, Nanakheda, and Datt Akhada.
Safety and service arrangements
Vehicles of the electricity board, fire brigade, forest department, and ambulances accompanied the procession to ensure safety.
CM joins Bhandara
After the procession, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav participated in a Bhandara organised under the Harifatak bridge. He personally served food to devotees who had come from across the country.