The upcoming Shravan–Bhadrapada processions of Lord Shri Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain will be held in a more elaborate and thematic manner this year, aligned with the vision of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.
Each procession will follow a distinct theme, beginning with Vedic Chants, while daily cultural evenings will be organised at Shri Mahakal Mahalok during the holy month of Shravan.
According to the schedule, the first procession will take place on July 14, followed by processions on July 21, July 28, August 4, August 11, and the grand Royal Procession on August 18. Each will showcase unique religious and cultural representations.
The first procession will feature Lord Manmahesh in a palaki, the second will have Lord Chandramouleshwar in the palaki and Lord Manmahesh on an elephant, and the third will add Lord Shiva Tandava on a Garuda Rath. The fourth will include Uma-Mahesh on Nandi Rath, while the fifth procession will retain all previous representations with the addition of Holkar State’s symbolic chariot.
The Royal Procession will present all deities in their divine forms, including Lord Shri Chandramouleshwar, Lord Manmahesh, Lord Shiva Tandava, Uma-Mahesh, the Holkar State chariot, and Lord’s appearance in the Saptadhan Mukharavind form on a special Rath.
Under Chief Minister Dr. Yadav’s directives, each event will feature elaborate themes. The first procession, themed Vedic Chants, will see large-scale Vedic recitations by students at Ramghat and Datt Akhara, and tribal dance groups performing along the route.
The second procession will highlight Indian folk traditions with performances such as Matki Dance (MP), Gangaur Dance (Rajasthan), Bihu Dance (Assam), Bhavai Dance (Gujarat) and Puliyattam or Tiger Dance (Karnataka) at Ramghat.
The third procession will be marked by musical presentations from police, army, home guard, and private bands, while the fourth will showcase tourism-centric tableaux representing landmarks like Mandu Fort, Sanchi Stupa, Khajuraho Temples, Ahilya Fort, Bhimbetka, Gwalior Fort, and others.
The fifth procession will focus on religious themes, including Shri Krishna Pathey and various pilgrimage sites from across Madhya Pradesh, complemented by tribal dances from different districts. The Royal Procession will see participation from over 70 Bhajan Mandalis, offering devotional music along the route.
Cultural programmes will also be held every Saturday at 7 PM at the Triveni Art and Archaeology Museum auditorium during Shravan. Additionally, from July 13 to August 16, a series of events titled Shri Mahakaleshwar Cultural Evenings will take place on 23 selected days (excluding procession days, Nag Panchami and August 15) from 6 PM to 8 PM near the Saptarishis statue at Shri Mahakal Mahalok, featuring 47 artist groups from across the country.
To facilitate the devotees, the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee will ensure drinking water availability every 200 meters along the routes. Public announcement systems and surveillance cameras will also be installed for crowd management and security.