Devotees throng Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar temple on 'Sawan Shivratri'

Ujjain: Scores of devotees thronged Mahakaleshwar temple located in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district to offer prayers on the occasion of 'Sawan Shivratri' on Friday.
The devotees flocked to the temple and worshipped Baba Mahakal (Lord Shiva), expressed their reverence, and sought divine blessings in their lives.
Though the entire month of Sawan is auspicious for the devotees, it being Sawan Shivratri on Friday, there is a lot of enthusiasm among the devotees. Kanwariyas from far and wide are also carrying Kavad reached here and offer Jal to Baba Mahakal.
Priest of the temple, Mahesh Sharma told ANI, "Sawan month is considered as the month of Lord Shiva. The devotees who worshipped the lord shiva in this month receive tons of blessings. During the Sawan month, a day of Shivratri is also celebrated and the importance of Sawan Shivratri is the same and equal to that of the yearly Shivratri."
There is an importance of offering sesame seeds to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Sawan Shivratri. It is believed that those who offer sesame seeds to Shiva, never get short of money. Therefore, there is great importance in offering sesame seeds to Shiva on Shivratri and in the month of Sawan, he added.
Sawan Shivratri is a major Hindu festival with deep religious and spiritual meaning. This festival is celebrated on the 14th day of the lunar month and marks the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
This year Sawan Shivratri fell on August 2 and there was immense enthusiasm among the devotees here as Shivratri marked a very special significance in Sawan.
This sacred month, typically falling between July and August, is a period of worship, fasting and pilgrimage dedicated to the Lord Shiva.