Who would have thought that technology would advance to a point where, after online classes, virtual shopping and digital payments, even sacred Hindu rituals could be experienced through virtual reality? A video showcasing people experiencing Bhasma Aarti at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain using VR has captured attention online.
The clip began by showing many devotees sitting in a uniform arrangement, wearing VR headsets as they experience the revered Bhasma Aarti from another place. All of them had a greyish pole-like thing in front of them with “Durlabh Darshan 6D VR” written on it. From children to adults to the elderly, people from every age group were experiencing the sacred ritual with their hands folded in prayers.
“Aarti Seen Through Eyes, Felt Through Soul”
As the video progressed,
many were captured being moved by the experience. At one point, a man was seen gesturing as if he were touching the feet of the idol of God while still sitting at his place, while a woman was seen swinging to the rhythms of the ritual.
Such an initiative is aimed at giving devotees a similar experience to one they might get at the temple without the crowd or usual rush to get a glimpse of the ritual. “Aarti seen through eyes…felt through soul,” the text overlaying the video shared by R Gandhi Tours on Instagram read.
In the caption of the post, which has garnered over 3.24 lakh views as of writing, the organisers wrote, “A divine experience beyond imagination…Through VR Bhasma Aarti at Ujjain, our travellers felt the divine presence and witnessed a moment filled with devotion and emotions.”
What Is The Bhasma Aarti?
The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is the divine abode of Mahakal, which is considered one of the most sacred Shiva temples in India. Located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, the ancient Jyotirlinga is the only one where Lord Shiva is worshipped as the “King of Time” or Mahakal, the one who rules over life, death and the universe.
The Bhasma Aarti is the first ritual performed every morning at the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. Conducted before dawn, the ceremony is unique because the Shiva Lingam is traditionally anointed with bhasma or sacred ash before the morning prayers.
