Inside the mystique of Mahakal Temple in Ujjain where the first Rakhi will be tied to Lord Mahakal

Rakshabandhan 2024 will be observed on Monday, August 19, which is the last day of Sawan. The festival is also celebrated in major temples across the country, where priests offer Raksha Sutra to deities and pray for the country's well-being. Let’s find out which temple will host the first Rakshabandhan celebration in the country.
 

On Monday, August 19, the first Rakhi of the country will be celebrated at the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The Raksha Sutra will be tied to Lord Mahakal during the Bhasma Aarti ceremony at 4 am. Each year, the Rakhi is specially prepared by the women of the priest's family and measures approximately 4 feet in length, adorned with peacock feathers and other gems.
 

As is tradition, 1.25 lakh laddus will be offered to Lord Mahakal on Rakshabandhan. The preparation of these laddus begins four days in advance, using approximately 100 boxes of pure ghee, 30 quintals of gram flour, 45 kg of sugar, and various dry fruits. This practice of offering 1.25 lakh laddus each year has been a long-standing tradition maintained by the priests.
 

August 19 will mark the final day of the Sawan month. Since it falls on a Monday, Lord Mahakal’s last procession of Sawan will also take place on this day. It is a rare coincidence for Rakshabandhan to fall on a Monday during Sawan, an occurrence that happens only once in many years.