Ujjain, Oct 5 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan visited the Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, and participated in the revered Bhasma Aarti on Sunday. Dhawan arrived at the temple early in the morning, adorned in Bhagva Vastra. He joined fellow devotees in prayer and took part in the symbolic ash-based ritual (bhasma aarti) conducted within the temple.

The serene and devotion-filled ambiance was captured in videos that circulated online.

The Bhasma Aarti at Mahakaleshwar is considered a spiritually potent ritual, performed during the early morning hours. This ceremony holds significant meaning for devotees, who regard it as a precious opportunity to behold the divine essence of Lord Mahakal in a solemn and mystical atmosphere.

During the aarti, Dhawan was situated in the Nandi Hall section of the temple. His visit underscores the way sports personalities often intertwine their public identities with religious practices, merging their public image with personal faith. For numerous fans, observing a renowned athlete engage in a sacred ceremony amplifies the universal appeal of spiritual customs.

Recently, fellow Indian batter Abhishek Sharma shared insights about advice Dhawan imparted to him, detailing how the seasoned cricketer encouraged him to write 'I’m the best player of India' in his diary and emphasized the significance of visualization.

“Shikhar Dhawan advised me that manifestation is vital; just visualize that you have already achieved it. He invited me to his home for this discussion and encouraged me to begin journaling. One aspect is visualizing that I will succeed, and another is visualizing that I am succeeding. That I am the best player in India, having won numerous matches for the team; he made me document this,” he recounted in an episode of ‘Breakfast with Champions.’

“I practice journaling every morning before games. Rather than that, I decided to write a note. I wrote, 'This one is for Orange Army.' I tucked it in my pocket. Upon reaching my fifty, I had forgotten about it. I continued playing, and when I celebrated making a hundred, I remembered and pulled out the note,” Abhishek added.

vi/bc