Madhya Pradesh: World Record in ‘Damru’ Playing Set in Ujjain Temple

Bhopal: As many as 1500 musicians on Monday played ‘damru’ (a small power drum) in unison in the premise of ancient shrine of Mahakaleshwar, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh creating a new Guinness World Record.

The ‘damru’ players in saffron clothes gave a mesmerising performance at the Mahakal Corridor adjoining the Mahakaleshwar temple recreating the thrilling sounds of cymbal and drum beating seen during the ‘unique’ ‘Bhasma Aarti’ rituals in the shrine.

The event was sponsored by Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee and Madhya Pradesh government’s culture department.

“More than 1500 damru players achieved the feat of entering into the Guinness World Record in the ‘largest damru ensemble’ category”, a consultant for the world record attempts Nischal Barot said.

Earlier, the record of the largest damru ensemble consisting of 488 persons was achieved by the Federation of Indian Association in New York in August 2022, which has now been breached, he said.

Congratulating the people on the occasion, chief minister Mohan Yadav said the wish to make the city of ‘Baba Mahakal’ “resonate with the sound of damru has come true”.

“On the third Monday of the holy month of Shravan, Ujjain registered its name in the Guinness Book of World Records by playing damru to the tune of Bhasma Aarti. It is very difficult to put this wonderful and spiritual feeling into words”, he said.

Ujjain district collector Neeraj Kumar Singh said the feat has been dedicated to the presiding deity of Mahakaleshwar shrine.

The last record in the field was set in New York by NRIs during the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, where 488 persons participated.