The first Rakhi of Raksha Bandhan was offered to Lord Mahakal at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on Friday, following a long-standing religious tradition.
During the Bhasma Aarti at around 3 am, women from the priest families tied a special Rakhi to Baba Mahakal. According to Hindu belief, major festivals celebrated according to Hindu customs begin in the courtyard of Lord Mahakal.
The women from the priest families who prepared the Rakhi observed fasts throughout the month of Shravan. They spent around a week making the special Rakhi by hand, incorporating symbols associated with Lord Mahakal. This year, they prepared a large Rakhi measuring around 2 feet in length.
One-and-a-quarter lakh laddoo were offered to Lord Mahakal before performing the aarti. According to religious belief, devotees who fast throughout the month of Shravan break their fast on Shravan Purnima after receiving laddoo prasad from Lord Mahakal. The large offering is made so that as many devotees as possible can receive the prasad.
Women from the families of priests Om Guru and Rajesh Sharma reached the temple at around 2 am to participate in the ritual. They continued chanting mantras during the Bhasma Aarti until the Rakhi was offered to Baba Mahakal. After the sacred ash was applied, the special Rakhi was presented to the deity. The women then broke their fast with prasad received from the temple. Later, they tied Rakhi to their own brothers.
Priest Akash Guru said the 2-foot Rakhi was made using silk fabric, silk threads and ornaments. It also features peacock feathers, which are associated with Lord Krishna, along with a representation of the sacred cow. Glasswork, peacock feathers and rudraksha beads were used to decorate the Rakhi. Symbols associated with Baba Mahakal, including the third eye, the Tripundra, were also incorporated into its design.
Follow Dharmic News for more updates on temple affairs and Hindu community issues.
