Covid protocol goes for a toss at Mahakal temple in Ujjain

UJJAIN/INDORE: Around 50,000 devotees turned up at Lord Mahakal temple in Ujjain district on first Monday of the holy shravan month to offer prayers busting all claims to only allow 5,000 for prayers in morning shift through prebooking.
The huge turnout led to the tossing up of Covid-19 protocols with devotees queuing up for over one kilometer in two lines starting from Mahakal valley.
It was decided to only allow 5,000 people to offer prayers between 6 am and 11 am on the first day on the basis of pre-online bookings. But, because of such a high influx, the security staffers were overpowered by devotees, who forcefully barged into the temple.
Such over enthusiastic acts of devotees created a stampede like situation for a while when barricades were removed, children were stuck in between.
The day was an eye opener for district administration making tall claims when the female and children had to walk barefoot for about two kilometres on roads with debris collected because of its maintenance. Amidst all this, Lord Mahakal has gone on a city’s tour in his Manmahesh attire on palanquin to know the whereabouts of his subjects. Lord Mahakal is considered the king of the ancient city of Avantika, now known as Ujjain.
Lord Mahakal goes on the city's tour in this holy month every year. Collector Ashish Singh, SP Satyendra Shukla were among the palanquin bearers to begin Lord's city tour, which started with guard of honour from police personnel.
Mahakal travelled from Harsidhi to Ramghat on the banks of Kshipra.Priests began offering prayers at 3 am with Bhasma aarti performed in their presence. On auspicious day of the holy month, several political leaders queued up in the court of Mahakal to offer prayers. Former chief minister Uma Bharti was the first to offer prayer and seek Mahakal's blessing in the morning.
Later in the day, chief minister Shivraj Singh with his wife Sadhna Singh and both the sons offered prayers in presence of state higher education minister Dr Mohan Yadav, and others. CM also handed over Rs 11 lakh cheque to daughter of priest Mahesh Sharma (ustad) sanctioned by the management committee after he passed away.