During the auspicious holy month of Shravan (Sawan), the holy city of Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) comes alive with grand spiritual celebrations as Lord Mahakaleshwar embarks on his sacred city procession, popularly known as 'Mahakal Sawari'.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva visits the city on a palanquin (palki) during Sawan to check on the well-being of his devotees. Millions of pilgrims gather in Ujjain to witness the divine forms of Baba Mahakal, including Manmahesh, Chandramouleshwar, and Shivtandav.
Here are the official dates for all the Mondays (Somwars) of Sawan and Bhadrapada processions:
| S.No. | Procession Type | Date |
| 1. | 1st Sawari | August 3, 2026 (Monday) |
| 2. | 2nd Sawari | August 10, 2026 (Monday) |
| 3. | 3rd Sawari | August 17, 2026 (Monday) |
| 4. | 4th Sawari | August 24, 2026 (Monday) |
| 5. | 5th Sawari | August 31, 2026 (Monday) |
| 6. | Grand Shahi Sawari | September 7, 2026 (Monday) |
Procession Start Time: 04:00 PM (Post worship at the Mahakal Temple Sabha Mandap)
Aarti at Ramghat: Around 05:30 PM to 06:00 PM
Return to Temple: Around 08:00 PM
Key Ritual: Before the palanquin departs, a ceremonial worship (Puja) is performed inside the temple premises. The armed police force pays a royal tribute with a Guard of Honour to Lord Mahakaleshwar.
The divine procession follows a fixed heritage route through Ujjain:
Departure: Mahakal Temple ➔ Gudri Chorahe ➔ Bakshi Bazar ➔ Kaharwadi
Abhishekam at Ramghat: The palanquin stops at the sacred Ramghat along the Kshipra River, where holy water rituals (Jalabhishek) are performed.
Return Route: Ramghat ➔ Ramanujkot ➔ Kartik Chowk ➔ Khati Ka Mandir ➔ Satyanarayan Temple ➔ Dhabha Road ➔ Chhatri Chowk ➔ Gopal Mandir ➔ Patni Bazar ➔ Back to Mahakaleshwar Temple.
Witnessing the Mahakal Sawari during Sawan is a deeply spiritual experience. If you are planning a visit to Ujjain during this period, ensure you reach the route early to secure a good viewing spot near Ramghat or Gopal Mandir.