Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple is the most lively Shiva temples of India.
Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
This holy temple is present in the heart of ancient historical city of Ujjain in the state of
Madhya Pradesh, India.
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple Info:
It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingam shrines which are said to be the most sacred dwelling places of
Lord Shiva.
Best known for its Bhasma Arti, Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is present on the side of
Rudra Sagar Lake.
Lord Shiva in the Shiva Lingam form here in Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple is believed to be Swayambhu or self-manifested, deriving power or Shakti from within itself.
The deity here in Mahakaleshwar is known as "Dakshinamurthy" (facing the South direction) with Nandi (bull) on the south side.
Mahakaleshwar Temple Complex:
The complex of Mahakal is huge and consists of around 50 temples in it. The temple is built up in the Bhumija Style of architecture.
The temple is a 3-Tier one, with "Mahakal Jyotirlingam" present below the ground level.
The "Temple of Omkareshwar" is present at the middle level of the complex.
The idol of Nagachandreshwara is present on the third storey of the complex. This is an interesting shrine, which is opened to public for God Darshan only on the day of Nag Panchami every year.
Also, a sacred pond called Koti Tirtha established by
Lord Hanuman is present at the centre of the temple compound. From this sacred pond water is drawn for performing the daily Abhishek to Lord Shiv.
The Mahakala Temple of Ujjain was destroyed by Iltutmish and then restored by the Scindias of Gwalior.
Interesting Facts About Mahakaleshwar Temple:
- It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India.
- The Shiva Lingam at the Mahakaleshwar is believed to be Swayambhu (born of itself)
- The Shiva Lingam in Ujjain is said to be the only Dakshinmurthy Jyotirlinga temple in India
- Lord Mahakaleshwar is the only king of Ujjain
- Bhasma Aarti is the most important rituals performed at 4.00 AM everyday in Mahakaleshwar
- Unlike all other shrines, Prasad (holy offering) offered here to the deity can be re-offered
Major Festivals:
All major festivals in the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga are celebrated according to the Gwalior Panchang.
The best time to visit the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple is during the festival of Maha Shivaratri.
On the day of Mahashivratri ("The Great night of Shiva"), a huge fair is held near the Lord Mahakal temple, and worship goes on throughout the night.
Food and Accommodation:
Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee (MTMC) has started online booking service for devotees to hire rooms at Dharamshalas, online donation and for buying Prasada (food sanctified by the Lord).
Shri Mahakaleshwar Dharamshala:
Mahakaleshwar Dharamshala is an ideal option for family accommodation near Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple maintained by the Temple Trust located just adjacent to the temple.
Annakshetra:
Annakshetra which was running since 2004 is serving good quality food for hundreds of devotees every day at Ujjain Mahakal temple at no cost from Morning 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM and from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Devotees coming to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple are now served with the tasty South Indian delicacies like Idli Sambar in the evening by the temple authorities at Annakshetra.
Tourist Attractions in Ujjain:
Ujjain is an ancient city present on the eastern bank of the Kshipra River, on the Malwa plateau of central India.
This largest city in Ujjain district has a lot of previous names like Ujain, Ujjaiyni, Avanti, Avantika and Avantikapuri. The famous Kumbh Mela is held here in Ujjain every twelve years.
Ujjain is a famous pilgrimage destination in India. Some of the holy places in Ujjain are:
- 👉 Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple
- 👉 Mangalnath Temple
- 👉 Bada Ganesh
- 👉 Harsiddhi Temple
- 👉 Ram Mandir Ghat
- 👉 Chintaman
- 👉 Bhartrihari Caves
- 👉 Gadhkalika
- 👉 Kal Bhairav Temple
- 👉 Gopal Mandir
Language Spoken:
Hindi and Malvi are the main languages spoken at Mahakaleshwar Temple.
How to Reach Mahakaleshwar Temple:
Ujjain is well connected by Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (MPSRTC) buses.
Frequent buses are available from major cities of India like Indore (55 km), Bhopal (195 km), Ahmedabad (444 km) and Gwalior (466 km) to Mahakaleshwar Temple.
There are two bus stands in Ujjain:
1. Dewas Gate Bus Stand (Shaheed Raja Bhau Mahakal Bus Stand)
2. Nana Kheda Bus Stand (Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Bus Stand)
By Train:
Ujjain is directly connected to all major cities of India. The nearby railway stations are present at
Ujjain Junction Railway Station (UJN)
Vikramnagar Railway Station (VRG)
Chintaman Ganesh Railway Station (CNN)
By Air:
Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport at Indore (IATA: IDR) is the nearest Airport to reach Mahakaleshwar Temple.
Mahakaleshwar Temple Route Map:
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