Ujjain, January 16: The flow of VIP devotees continues at the world-renowned Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. On Friday morning, Indian cricket team head coach and former star cricketer Gautam Gambhir visited the temple to offer prayers.
According to officials, Gambhir participated in the early morning Bhasma Aarti held around 4 am. He offered prayers to Lord Shiva, seeking blessings for the nation and success for the Indian cricket team. Gambhir spent nearly two hours inside the temple premises, fully immersed in devotion.
During the sacred ritual, he was seen seated calmly in the Nandi Hall, chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” and meditating on Lord Mahakal. The temple complex echoed with chants of “Har Har Mahadev,” creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere. Devotees present at the temple witnessed Gambhir’s simple and reverent participation in the rituals.
Following the Bhasma Aarti, Gambhir paid his respects by offering prayers from the threshold of the sanctum sanctorum, in keeping with temple traditions. He offered holy water and sought blessings without entering the sanctum, reflecting his respect for the temple’s customs.
On the occasion, the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee honoured Gambhir by presenting him with sacred prasadam and a photograph of Baba Mahakal. Expressing gratitude, Gambhir praised the temple’s arrangements and said that visiting Mahakal had given him immense mental peace and renewed energy.
Located in Ujjain, the Mahakaleshwar Temple attracts devotees from across India and abroad. In recent times, several prominent personalities from sports, politics and the entertainment industry have also visited the shrine.
It is noteworthy that earlier this month, on January 1, members of the Indian women’s cricket team had also begun the New Year with prayers at the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Several players visited the Jyotirlinga to seek divine blessings for the challenges ahead in the coming year.
