Record Crowd at Mahakaleshwar Temple: 2 Lakh Devotees Visit During Winter Holidays

Ujjain: A massive crowd of devotees thronged the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain this Thursday. With winter holidays in full swing, the number of visitors crossed 2 lakh, compared to an average of 1.25 lakh on regular days. The temple administration had made special arrangements to manage the influx of devotees.

Numbers Surge by Evening
Pratham Kaushik, Administrator of the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee, said that typically, 1.25 to 1.5 lakh devotees visit the temple daily. On the first day of the holidays, the number surpassed 1.5 lakh by afternoon, reaching nearly 2 lakh by evening. Several administrative changes have been implemented, which will remain in effect until 5 January.

Four Entrances Open for Devotees
Currently, devotees are allowed entry through the Neelkanth, Shehnai, Bada Ganesh Temple, and Triveni Museum gates. A special corridor has been set up for general visitors to facilitate smooth darshan. A ‘Quick Darshan’ counter has been established near Bada Ganesh Temple for ₹250. Provisions for mobile storage and footwear have also been arranged for devotees’ convenience.

Gate-wise Entry Arrangements
The temple has organized entry based on categories of devotees. General visitors can enter through the Triveni Museum gate, ₹250 Quick Darshan ticket holders via the Bada Ganesh Temple exit gate, local devotees through Shehnai Gate, and VIP devotees via Neelkanth Gate. Separate entry arrangements have also been made for devotees attending the Bhasma Aarti.

Parking Facilities Upgraded
Devotees can park their vehicles at Meghdoot Parking in front of Harifatak Over Bridge, beneath the bridge, Karkaraj Temple parking, near Bhil Samaj Dharamshala, Kalota Samaj Dharamshala, and Kartik Mela Ground. These arrangements have been made to ensure smooth darshan for all visitors.