Mahakal Temple Introduces ₹100 Charge for Light and Sound Show; Devotees Raise Concerns

Devotees visiting the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain will now need to pay ₹100 per person to watch the light and sound show in the temple premises. This new fee has been implemented immediately by the temple management committee. The show, which highlights the glory of Lord Mahakal, the Kshipra River, and the ancient city of Avantika (Ujjain), was inaugurated on October 25, 2025, by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. It was developed under the Smart City Project by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation at a cost of ₹18.07 crore.

The temple administration has justified the fee, stating that the monthly maintenance cost of the show is approximately ₹1.5 lakh. According to temple administrator Pratham Kaushik, the ₹100 entry fee was introduced to cover these expenses and improve the overall management. The administration estimates that around 500 devotees attend the show daily, which could generate a monthly revenue of ₹15 lakh and an annual income of ₹1.8 crore.

In addition to the light and sound show fee, the temple charges ₹250 per person for Sandhya and Shayan Aarti, a practice introduced on February 19, 2026. VIP or immediate darshan options also come with additional charges. Some devotees have expressed concerns that these fees increase their financial burden, with a section of them suggesting that such services should remain free in a religious setting.

Key Points
- Mahakal Temple has introduced a ₹100 fee for its light and sound show.
- The show was inaugurated on October 25, 2025, and cost ₹18.07 crore to develop.
- The temple administration cites ₹1.5 lakh monthly maintenance costs as the reason for the fee.
- Additional charges of ₹250 for Sandhya and Shayan Aarti are also in place since February 19, 2026.
- Some devotees have raised concerns about the financial burden caused by these charges.