Bhasma Aarti of Mahakal Shivling:
Bhasma aarti is performed every morning in the temple of Mahakal Shivling in Ujjain. Bhasma is considered to be the garment of Shiva. After burning of any substance, its final form is called as Bhasma. The final form of all is ashes. The ashes are also a sign that the universe is mortal. By wearing ashes, Shiva wants to tell everyone that this is the ultimate truth of this body.
Amazing Secrets of Bhasma Aarti of Mahakal Shivling of Ujjain:
1. Aarti of Mahakal Shivling is performed 6 times daily, in which Bhasma Aarti is considered to be the most important.
2. Bhasma aarti is performed first of the Mahakal Shivling. Then in the second aarti, Lord Shiva is given a Ghata-top form. In the third aarti, the Shivling is given the form of Hanuman ji. In the fourth aarti, Lord Shiva is given the form of Sheshnag. In the fifth aarti, Lord Shiva is given the form of a bridegroom. And the sixth Aarti is the Shayan Aarti. In this, Shiva is in his own form.
3. Bhasma Aarti is done in this temple at 4 in the morning.
4. The specialty of this aarti is that Lord Mahakal is adorned with the ashes of fresh dead bodies.
5. Booking is done in advance to attend this aarti.
6. It is necessary for women to wear saree in this aarti.
7. Women are asked to wear a veil at the time when ashes is offered on the Shivling.
8. It is believed that at that time Lord Shiva is in formless form and women cannot see this form.
9. Men also have to wear only dhoti to see this aarti. It should also be clean and cotton.
10. Only men can see this aarti and only the priests have the right to perform it.
11. According to ancient beliefs, there was terror in Avantika because of a demon named Dushan. On the request of the townspeople, Lord Shiva burnt him to ashes and adorned himself with his ashes. After that, on the request of the villagers, Shiva settled there in the form of Mahakal. For this reason, this temple was named Mahakaleshwar and aarti was started with the ashes of Shivling.
12. It is also said that Lord Shiva is adorned with the first pyre of the morning burning in the crematorium here.
13. It is also said that for this bhasma, people register in the temple in advance and after death, Lord Shiva is adorned with his ashes.
14. Shraut, smart and lokik such three types of ashes are applied to Shiva. The sacrifice performed by the method of Shruti is a Bhasma Shraut. If a sacrifice is performed by the method of memory, it is smart ashes. And if the ashes are prepared by burning a candle, then it is called worldly ashes. The ashes of Virja Havan are considered the best.
15. Peepal, Pakhar, Rasala, Belpatra, Banana and cow dung are prepared by burning in the Havan Kund. The ashes of this incinerated material are filtered through a cloth and made into laddus in raw milk. It is heated in fire seven times and then extinguished with raw milk. Bhasma prepared in this way is applied from time to time. This ashes is the clothing of the Naga sadhus. Aarti is also performed with the same ash.
