Ujjain: Mahakal’s first Shravan sawari today | FPJ
Ujjain: First ‘sawari’ or procession of Shravan month will be taken out on Monday. Seated in a palanquin as Mann-Mahesh, Lord Mahakal will take a tour of the city. Lakhs of devotees from across the country will throng the city to have a glimpse of Mahakaleshwar.
Before the start of the procession, a puja will be performed in temple premises. After passing through various areas, the procession will reach Ramghat where customary ‘abhishek’ and puja would be performed. The procession will then head back to the temple through prescribed sawari route where Armed Police Force will present Guard of Honour to the deity.
The second procession will be taken out on July 17. On the day, Mahakaleshwar will be in the form of ‘Chandramauleshwar’.
The processions will also be taken out on July 24, July 31, August 7 and August 14. The last or ‘shahi-sawari’ will be taken out on August 21.
Shravan processions always draw huge crowd. The administration has chalked out a detailed plan to ensure smooth passage of the event without any untoward incident.
Collector Sanket Bhondve and SP MS Verma held meeting with administrative officials and staff on Sunday and asked them to exhibit affable behaviour with devotees.
Collector ordered arrangement of e-rickshaws for differently-abled and also to ensure cleanliness and hygiene. Medical facilities will also be provided. Warning officials against any delay, he ordered ban on all food shops selling sub-standard items.
He asked social organizations to set up stalls near exit gate to distribute food items to fasting devotees. He directed officials to ensure that devotees returned home with a positive image of the city.
SP Verma warned cops against misusing their position and asked them to ensure smooth darshan for devotees from every walk of life. Parking arrangements have been made near Bharat Mata temple and in front of Nutan School. Only emergency vehicles like ambulance, fire brigade, cleaning vehicles and temple authorized vehicles would be allowed in no vehicle zone. ASP Rajesh Sahay has been made in-charge of arrangements in temple premises. Mobile phones are banned inside temple.
For Monday bhasmaarti, gates will be opened at 2:30 am and darshan for common devotees will begin at 5 am. Temple priests, journalists, duty officers and staff will enter from bhasmaarti gate while pass holders will enter from facility centre.
