Shivaratri at Mahakaleshwar Temple: From the Ashes Rises the Lord

Watch: Maha Shivaratri at Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.

The ‘Bhasmarati’ at Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain is one of kind (Photo: The Quint)

Ujjain, one of the seven holiest cities in India, is also home to one of the most unique forms of Lord Shiva – The Mahakaleshwar Shiva. It is believed that the Mahakal liberates you from the cycle of life and death. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams. Every morning between 4 and 6 am, thousands of devotees come to the Mahakaleshwar Temple to get a glimpse of one of the most unique forms of worship.

The Lingam is bathed in water, milk and flowers. But the ritual which makes it truly special is when the idol is bathed in hot ash from cremation ground - The Bhasmarati.

Maha Shivaratri is a nine day event here; this is when a divine trance takes over Ujjain and the believers of Mahakaleshwar Shiva.

Cameraman: Sanjoy Deb

Editor: Hitesh Singh