Bhasma Aarti, sacred ash ceremony, is the early morning
ritual at the famous Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple in Madhya Pradesh. It is
performed daily from 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM. This aarti is performed amidst vedic
chants, recitation of stotras and sounds of cymbals, conch an damaru.
Bhasma is prepared by burning dried cow dung. It is
popularly known as Vibhuti.
During the Bhasma Aarti no one enters the sanctum sanctorum
wearing common clothes. Only males wearing silk clothes are allowed to enter.
The devotees are allowed to witness the aarti from the sabhagriha just outside
the garbhagriha.
Bhasma Aarti is also performed in the afternoon on Shivratri
day.
Related
Shiva and Bhasmasura