Ujjain Gears Up For Mahakal’s 'Shahi Sawari' On August 18; Priests Fear Crowd Chaos, Request Chief Minister Mohan Yadav For Extra Security

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): The royal (shahi) procession of Lord Mahakal will be taken out on August 18 in Ujjain.

Thousands of devotees from across the country are expected to join.

Looking at the experiences from past processions, Mahesh Pujari, General Secretary of the Mahakaleshwar Temple Priest Committee, has requested Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav to provide special security for the palanquin (palki) of Lord Mahakal.

In a letter to the CM, temple priest Mahesh Sharma wrote that the temple management’s security officials should pay special attention to the safety of the palki. The procession goes towards Freeganj during the royal ride and also on Dussehra for the Shami Poojan, where huge crowds gather.

Priests and carriers (kahars) often struggle to keep the palki safe. Many times, they get hurt because devotees try to come close, touch the idol, offer garlands, or bow at the feet of the deity. This also risks hurting the dignity of the Lord.

What did the priests say?

Priests said that devotees sometimes pull garlands or clothes, and while putting garlands, there is even a risk of Lord Mahakal’s pagdi (turban) falling off, which is seen as disrespectful. This also creates disorder, and priests, kahars, and police may get injured.

The entire responsibility of bringing back the palanquin safely to the temple lies with the temple committee’s security staff. For this reason, Mahesh Pujari has requested that the government issue orders to make the entire procession route a secured barricaded corridor.

He also asked that temple security officers should walk with the palki and ensure that no untoward incident or accident takes place during the royal or Dussehra procession.