Ujjain Gaer: Ujjain’s historic lanes were awash with colours on Sunday, as Rang Panchami celebrations gripped the town. Thousands of devotees gathered to witness the city’s iconic ‘Gaer’ procession. On the occasion, musicians played drums, plumes of gulaal flew in the air, and the streets reverberated with the slogans of ‘Jai Mahakal.’ Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav also joined the centuries-old tradition, adding to the fervour of the festival.

CM Dr Yadav also performed ceremonial rituals on the occasion, including flag worship and the worship of weapons used by local akharas. He even handled the traditional weapons himself, leaving the onlookers surprised. Images of his participation quickly made rounds on social media.

CM offers obeisance at Mahakal temple

CM Dr Yadav began the Rang Panchami celebrations by offering prayers at the revered Mahakal shrine in the city. He prayed for the prosperity, well-being and the happiness of the state’s citizens. Soon after this, he joined the devotees in the traditional Gaer procession. Notably, the Mahakal Gaer is a distinctive cultural tradition of Ujjain, where akharas, saints and devotees in huge numbers take to the streets on Rang Panchami, marking the occasion with music, colours and chants.

‘Har Har Mahadev’ echoes across Ujjain

CM Dr Yadav, after performing the worship of the weapons in the akharas, demonstrated their use in traditional style. The crowd present on the occasion erupted in chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev,’ immersing the atmosphere in devotion and excitement.

CM smears colors and gulaal

During the Gaer procession, CM Dr Yadav smeared colours and gulaal on the faces of the general public, and smiled as people too applied gulaal to him. Children, women, elderly citizens and people of all age groups were seen celebrating the occasion with enthusiasm. They also gathered around CM Dr Yadav for selfies and photographs.

CM Dr Yadav extends festival greetings

Following this, CM Dr Yadav extended greetings to the people of the state. He said that the festival of colours brings joy, enthusiasm and positivity to life, and should be observed with harmony, love and brotherhood. 

Why does Ujjain’s Gaer procession stand out?

The Gaer procession in Ujjain is more than just a festive parade, as it is a symbol of the city’s cultural identity. On the occasion of Rang Panchami, the procession begins and Mahakal temple and passes through the city’s popular streets.