A new rule has been implemented at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, where devotees are now required to pay a fee of 250 rupees per person and book their slots online to partake in the evening (sandhya) and night (shayan) prayers. This booking system starts at noon for the evening prayer and at 4 PM for the night prayer and follows a first-come, first-served model. While the temple administrator, Pratham Kaushik, claims that this regulation aims to enhance transparency, manage crowds, and improve convenience for devotees, it has ignited controversy among worshippers.

The introduction of a fee for traditional prayers, considered sacred activities, has led to widespread discontent among many devotees, who feel that paying for participation undermines the spiritual essence of the rituals. Some argue that the temple, which is a significant pilgrimage site, should remain accessible to all without financial barriers. This sentiment is shared by those who believe in free worship and tradition, leading to a protest against the new fee structure.

The temple administration, while defending its decision, may need to address the concerns raised by the devotees to prevent escalation of the dissent. The temple's role as a religious sanctuary places it at the crossroads of tradition and modernization, and how it navigates this protest could set a precedent for similar religious sites in India that are evolving in response to contemporary pressures.