Devotees gather at Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple as Baba Mahakal appears in Ganesh form

Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple witnessed a striking sight today as the Bhasma Aarti commenced with Baba Mahakal presented in the form of Lord Ganesh. The ritual, a core part of the temple's daily worship, involved the offering of sacred ash (bhasma) to the deity before the special adornment.

Priests applied the ash and then decorated the idol with traditional Ganesh symbols, including the iconic elephant trunk and the distinct trident. The transformation was highlighted by the chanting of devotees and the resonant sound of temple bells.

The visual change attracted a sizable gathering of worshippers who filled the temple courtyard, repeatedly shouting "Jai Shri Mahakal" as they sought a glimpse of the divine manifestation. The atmosphere was charged with devotion, and the crowd remained orderly throughout the ceremony.

Such a display underscores the temple's role in blending regional traditions with pan‑Indian deities, reinforcing its status as a major pilgrimage centre in Madhya Pradesh.