Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga — Attraction in Ujjain

According to the Puranas, the city of Ujjain was called Avantika and was famous for its beauty and its status as a devotional epicenter. It was also one of the primary cities where students went to study holy scripture. According to legend there was a ruler of Ujjain called Chandrasena who was a pious devotee of Shiva and worshiped him all the time. One day a farmer's boy named Shrikhar was walking on the grounds of the palace and heard the King chant the Shiva's name & rushed to the temple to start praying with him. However, the guards removed him by force &sent him to the outskirts of the city near the river Kshipra. Rivals of Ujjain primarily King Ripudamana and King Singhaditya of the neighboring kingdoms decided to attack the Kingdom and take over its treasures around this time. Hearing this Shrikhar started to pray & the news spread to a priest named Vridhi. He was shocked to hear this and upon the urgent pleas of his sons, started to pray to Shiva at the river Kshipra. The Kings chose to attack and were successful with the help of the powerful demon Dushan who was blessed by Brahma to be invisible they plundered the city and attacked all the devotees of Shiva. Upon hearing the pleas of His helpless devotees, Shiva appeared in his Mahakala form & destroyed the enemies of King Chandrasena. Upon the request of his devotees Shrikhar&Vridhi, Shiva agreed to reside in the city and become the chief deity of the Kingdom & take care of it against its enemies and to protect all His devotees. From that day on, Shiva resided in His light form as Mahakala in a Lingam that was formed on its own from the powers of Shiva & his consort Parvati. Shiva also blessed his devotees and declared that people who worshipped Him in this form would be free from the fear of death and diseases. Also, they would be granted worldly treasures & be under the protection of the Shiva himself. Bharthari was the elder son of King Gandharva Sena, & received the kingdom of Ujjain from the celestial god Indra& the King of Dhara. When Bharthari was king of 'Ujjayani' in his state there lived a Brahman who after years of austerities was given the fruit of immortality from the celestial tree of Kalpavriksha. The Brahman presented the same to his monarch, Raja Bharthari, who in turn, passed it on to his love, the beautiful, Pinglah Rani or Ananga Sena Raja Bhartrhari's last & youngest wife. The queen, being in love with the Head police officer of the state, Mahipaala, presented the fruit to him, who further passed it on to his beloved, Lakha, one of the maids of honour. Eventually Lakha being in love with the king presented the fruit back to the king. Having completed the circle the fruit revealed the downsides of infidelity to the king he summoned the queen and ordered her beheading & ate the fruit himself. After that, he abdicated the throne, & became a religious mendicant. He later became a disciple of Pattinatthar who first indulged in an argument about samsari and sanyasi with king Bhartrhari. Later during the conversation pattinathar said that all women have dual mind &it might be the true case even with Parameswari. King conveyed this news to Rani Pingalah and she ordered Pattinathar to get punished & to sit in kalu maram (tree whose top portion would be sharpened like a pencil and whole tree is fully coated with oil a person who is punished to sit in the top will be split into two pieces) they tried to kill Pattinathar, but Kalu Maram started burning and nothing happened to Pattinathar the king received the news and went directly to Pattinathar and asked him to get ready to die the next day but Pattinathar replied I'm ready right now to die.The next day king came with tears in his eyes&released saint from jail because he actually noticed Queen Pingalah in love with horsemen that night, He threw away his empire wealth,even full coat dress & dressed in a simple kovanam the king became a disciple of Pattinatthar and got moksha in the Srikalahasteeshwara Temple in Andhra Pradesh which houses the Vayu Lingam a part of thePancha Bhoota...

Jai shree mahakal

Got a chance to attend bhasma aarti and it was beautifull and awaited moment of my life. Highly recommended to take bhasma aarti if possible.

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva, is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, India. The temple is situated on the banks of the holy river Shipra and is believed to have been established in the 1st century BCE. The presiding deity, Shiva in the lingam form, is revered as Swayambhu, meaning self-manifested, deriving its power from within itself. [Image of Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple]

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga holds immense religious significance for Hindus. It is believed that the temple was visited by Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, and Adi Shankaracharya. The temple is also mentioned in the Skanda Purana, one of the 18 Mahapuranas.

Architecture

The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple is a remarkable example of a blend of architectural styles, including Chalukya, Maratha, and Bhumija. The temple complex is spread over a vast area and comprises several structures, including the main temple, the Nandi Mandap, the Bhairava Temple, and the Surya Mandir.

Main Temple

The main temple is a five-level structure, with the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) located underground. The sanctum houses the Swayambhu lingam, which is adorned with silver serpents. Devotees descend a flight of stairs to reach the sanctum and offer prayers to the deity.

Nandi Mandap

The Nandi Mandap is a large hall preceding the sanctum sanctorum. It houses a massive statue of Nandi, the sacred bull who is the vehicle of Lord Shiva.

Bhairava Temple

The Bhairava Temple is dedicated to Bhairava, a fierce form of Lord Shiva. The temple is located in the southwest corner of the main temple complex.

Surya Mandir

The Surya Mandir is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. The temple is located in the northeast corner of the main temple complex.

Rituals and Practices

The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple is a vibrant center of Hindu pilgrimage and rituals. Devotees perform various poojas (rituals) and offer prayers to the deity. Some of the popular rituals include:

Bhasma Aarti:This unique ritual is performed at dawn every day. The ashes of cremated bones are collected and mixed with water to form a paste. This paste is then applied to the lingam as an offering.

Jyotiba Aarti:This aarti is performed at 7:00 PM every day. The aarti involves offering lamps, incense, and flowers to the deity.

Mahakal Darshan:Devotees stand in long queues to have a glimpse of the Swayambhu lingam. The darshan is considered to be very auspicious.

The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple celebrates several Hindu festivals throughout the year. Some of the major festivals include:

Maha Shivaratri:This is the most important festival at the temple. It is celebrated in the month of February or March. Devotees observe a fast and offer prayers to Lord Shiva throughout the night.

Sawan Somwar:This festival is observed on every Monday during the Hindu month of Sawan (July-August). Devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva and perform abhishek (bathing) of the lingam with water, milk, and other sacred liquids.

Bhasma Aarti Mahotsav:This festival is celebrated in the month of November or December. It marks the anniversary of the Bhasma Aarti ritual.

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is a revered Hindu pilgrimage site that attracts devotees from all over India and the world. The temple's unique architecture, rich history, and vibrant rituals make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Hindu culture and...

If you're short on time and don’t want to read further, here's a quick summary: The Mahaakaal Temple and its premises are well-maintained and thoughtfully developed, making it a major tourist attraction as well as a sacred spot. LED monitors are installed at various locations within the temple, offering live views of the sanctum sanctorum, which adds to the experience. Seeing the Mahaakaaleshwar Shivling in person is truly an unforgettable moment. The lively marketplace surrounding the temple makes the area even more vibrant. Jai Mahaakaal!

The Story of My Visit:

As part of my solo cycling expedition to Maheshwar, Omkareshwar, and Ujjain, the Mahakaal Temple in Ujjain was my final stop. I decided to visit early in the morning at around 6:00 AM, hoping for a smaller crowd. I purchased a Rs. 250 entry pass, which allowed me to bypass the long queues. Keep in mind, however, that mobile phones are not allowed inside the temple premises, but there are free phone lockers available.

Despite the early hour, the line to submit my phone took about an hour, which I later realized depends on the crowd. My advice would be to factor in the extra time for submitting and collecting your phone. Once I got past that, it took me only 5 minutes to reach the Shivling, which was a blessing. However, I did notice some people inside the temple carrying their phones, which was disappointing considering the rest of us were made to stand in line to follow the rules.

That said, the temple atmosphere in the early morning is serene and peaceful. The premises host 84 Shivlings and several smaller temples dedicated to different gods and goddesses. The facilities, including drinking water, are well provided, and the overall ambiance feels calming, especially if you visit during non-peak hours.

Exiting the temple and collecting my phone was much easier, as there was no line by then.

A Few Recommendations:

While my experience was good overall, the temple management could improve how they handle peak-hour crowds. The process of regulating visitors, especially concerning mobile phones, needs better enforcement to maintain fairness. Another suggestion is to ensure that the temple remains primarily a place of worship, free from excessive advertisements and banners for services or pandits right outside some temples within the complex.

Historical Background:

The Ujjain Mahaakaal Temple is not just a popular religious destination but also holds immense historical and mythological significance. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the sacred abodes of Lord Shiva, making it an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. The temple is dedicated to Lord Mahaakaaleshwar, who is considered the guardian deity of Ujjain and the destroyer of evil. The temple’s current structure was built by the Maratha ruler Ranoji Shinde in the 18th century, reflecting Maratha-style architecture, though the original temple is believed to date back to ancient times, mentioned even in the Puranas.

A visit to the Mahakaal Temple is not just about spirituality; it’s about connecting with centuries of devotion and history. Whether you’re here as a pilgrim or a traveler, the experience is bound to leave a lasting impression.

Final Thoughts:

If you plan to visit, keep in mind the temple's crowd dynamics, particularly around mobile phone lockers, and try to go early in the morning to truly appreciate the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. Mahaakaal Temple is more than just a tourist spot—it’s a place of deep faith and rich heritage that stands out in India’s...