Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Rakshabandhan festival began with tying of Rakhi to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlingam here on wee hours of Saturday.
On Saturday, the doors were opened for Bhasma Aarti at 3 am. After this, Abhishek was done with Panchamrit. Rakhi was offered to the Lord with special decoration during Bhasma Aarti.
A special Rakhi prepared by the women of Amar Pujari's family was offered to the Lord. The Rakhi tied to Mahakal was made of velvet cloth, silk thread and pearls.
Lord Ganesha is seated on the Rakhi. Pandit Amar Pujari said that every festival begins from the court of Lord Mahakal. In this sequence, first of all, Rakhi was tied to Rajadhiraj Shri Mahakaleshwar.
The tradition that has been going on for years is carried out by tying Rakhi to Lord Mahakal during Bhasma Aarti. Attractive decoration was done with flowers in Nandi Hall and Garbhagriha.
After tying Rakhi to Lord Mahakal, a Mahabhog of 1.25 lakh Laddus was offered during Bhasma Aarti. Preparations for this Mahabhog have been going on for the last four days.
From Tuesday itself, Laddus were made in the temple with Bhatti Pujan behind the priest's room. Om Prakash Sharma, the confectioner who made the Laddus, said that he has been making Laddus for Mahakal on Rakshabandhan festival for the last 12 years. Laddu Prasad was distributed to devotees who came to visit Mahakal temple on Rakshabandhan festival.
Rakshabandhan was celebrated with a special coincidence. The festival symbolising the love of brother and sister was celebrated this time in Shravan Nakshatra, Saubhagya Yoga, Karan, Moon in Capricorn and Purnima Tithi.
According to astrological calculations, such a combination has been formed after 297 years. According to astrologer Pt Amar Dibbawala, the current position of the planets is repeating the rare coincidence made in 1728. On Raksha Bandhan, 8 planets were in the same zodiac signs in which they were in 1728.
Among them, Sun will be in Cancer, Moon in Capricorn, Mars in Virgo, Mercury in Cancer, Jupiter and Venus in Gemini, Rahu in Aquarius and Ketu in Leo. Such wonderful yogas are formed only once in centuries, due to which this time Raksha Bandhan was considered even more virtuous.
On Raksha Bandhan, there was Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga till 2:43 pm which is considered extremely auspicious for making any work successful. This time it was also special that Raksha Bandhan was free from Bhadra Kaal, Pt Dibbawala said.
